Legal Luminary and Founder of Afe Babalola University, has defended his decision to pursue legal action against Dele Farotimi for defamation and cyberbullying allegations.
The case, which has sparked public outrage and calls for Farotimi’s release, continues to dominate national discourse.
On Tuesday, the Ekiti State Police Command arrested Farotimi in Lagos following a petition accusing him of criminally defaming Babalola in his book, Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System.
Farotimi alleged that officers attempted to abduct him, accusing them of employing dubious tactics despite his prior cooperation with the Zone 2 Police Headquarters in Lagos.
He was arraigned on Wednesday before a magistrate court in Ado-Ekiti on 16 charges, including defamation.
He pleaded not guilty to all the charges and was remanded in custody. Prominent political figures, including Peter Obi and Atiku Abubakar, have since called for his release, while Omoyele Sowore, publisher of Sahara Reporters, has urged Nigerians to protest against the judiciary’s handling of the case.
In a statement issued on Friday by Afe Babalola & Co., Babalola reaffirmed his commitment to holding Farotimi accountable, describing the activist’s allegations as “false, reckless, and malicious.” Signed by Adebayo Adenipekun (SAN), the statement emphasized the necessity of legal action to protect the firm’s reputation and the legacy of its founder.
“If we do not take any action to correct the falsehoods, our silence will necessarily be interpreted as an admission of guilt,” the statement read.
It added that the firm’s legal actions were within the bounds of the law and aimed at upholding justice.
Babalola highlighted the balance between freedom of speech and accountability, asserting that fundamental rights are not absolute.
“The freedom to speak is not freedom from the consequences of speech,” the statement noted. The firm also underscored its long-standing commitment to championing human rights while maintaining that legal measures were necessary in this instance.
The arrest and subsequent arraignment of Farotimi have ignited widespread criticism, with activists and supporters rallying for his release.
However, Babalola’s firm has dismissed social media campaigns and protests as distractions, asserting confidence in the judicial process.
“Unlike Mr. Farotimi, we believe in the justice delivery system every time—not only when it favors us,” the statement concluded, adding that the case would be resolved on its merits rather than through public opinion.