Defamation: How Ooni, Yoruba monarchs resolved Afe Babalola, Farotimi feud

VANGUARD

ADO-EKITI — FOLLOWING the intervention of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, and other prominent Yoruba monarchs, the founder of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti, ABUAD, Aare Afe Babalola has agreed to drop all criminal defamation suit against human rights activist, Mr Dele Farotimi.

The traditional rulers arrived on the campus of Afe Babalola University, located on the outskirts of Ado-Ekiti, at about 10:30 pm, on Sunday, evening and immediately proceeded to a closed-door meeting with the legal luminary, who was on hand to receive them.

Other prominent Yoruba traditional rulers, who were on the entourage of the Ooni of Ife were, the Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adejugbe; Olojudo of Ido-Ekiti, Oba Ilori Faboro; the Ogoga of Ikere-Ekiti, Oba Adejimi Alagbado; the Oloye of Oye-Ekiti, Oba Michael Ademolaju; the Ajero of Ijero, Oba Adewole Adebayo, and the Alaaye of Efon Alaaye, Oba Emmanuel Agunsoye II.

At about 11 pm, they emerged from the meeting and invited newsmen, waiting outside and eagerly expecting news of what transpired inside the meeting, for briefing.

Recall that Farotimi had published a book titled ‘Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System’, where he alleged that the elder statesman corrupted the judiciary.

The Ooni of Ife, who spoke on behalf of other traditional rulers at the meeting, said it has become very imperative to apply alternative dispute resolution methods used in the old era to resolve disputes.

His words: “We came to appeal to Aare Babalola to forgive his son, Dele Farotimi. What we want from him is to withdraw the criminal charges against Farotimi.

“Aare Afe Babalola, you are an elder statesman and have seen it all. You are one of the iconic voices in this country, a great man of excellence. You are a rare breed who has excelled in everything you have touched in this life, a very God fearing elderstateman. Above all, you are one of the proponents of the Yoruba ethos of Omoluwabi which has been your strongest value that you hold in our country.

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