The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has assured Founder of Afe Babalola University Ado Ekiti, Aare Afe Babalola, SAN, that Human Rights Activist and lawyer, Dele Farotimi, is one of his sons.
The Ooni said this when he and other monarchs were appealing to Babalola to withdraw the defamation charges he levelled against Farotimi, a request he has granted.
Other prominent monarchs who visited Babalola and had a parley with him were the Ewi of Ado Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adejuyigbe, the Ogoga of Ikere, Oba Adejimi Adu, the Oloye of Oloye Ekiti, Ajero of Ijero Ekiti, Olojudo of Ido Ekiti, among others.
Farotimi is facing criminal defamation and cybercrime charges in an Ekiti State Magistrates’ Court and the Federal High Court, Ado Ekiti.
The defamation charge stems from the allegations in Farotimi’s book entitled “Nigeria and its criminal justice system” that accused Babalola of influencing Supreme Court judges.
He commended Babalola for building his integrity over the years adding that no one could rubbish his name.
“We are coming together as a race to take this thing from you. Baba, you have told the world and they have heard you clearly. We can see that you have fought every battle to sustain that name you have built.
“Dele Farotimi is your son and you might not know him. Why we are here is our ethos as a race and we cannot take anything that is so hard for you. We are using the race because our elders too have spoken. Combining traditional institutions is what we are using to take this from you,” Oba Ogunwusi added.
In his response to the appeal by the monarchs, Babalola said that he had received several letters and calls on the issue, particularly from notable Nigerians including former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and Bishop Kukah but said that he rejected their appeal.
The Elder statesman said that he would instruct his lawyers to discontinue the case before the court.
He said: “There is nothing I am going to gain by his imprisonment. If I sue him, there is nothing I will gain from any damages. I am not in quest of more wealth, rather, on how to spend what I have for the benefit of others. The only time I am happy is when I give.
