Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Afe Babalola has announced the withdrawal of his defamation lawsuit against human rights advocate Dele Farotimi.

Farotimi was arrested in December in Lagos and transferred to Ekiti State, where he was accused of “criminally defaming” Babalola in his book, Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System. After being arraigned, the Ekiti State Magistrate Court in Ado-Ekiti ordered his 21-day remand, though he was later granted bail on December 24, set at ₦30 million.

At Afe Babalola University (ABUAD), Babalola revealed that his decision to drop the case followed the intervention of prominent figures, including the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, and other first-class Yoruba traditional rulers, during a midnight meeting.

He acknowledged receiving numerous calls and letters from notable Nigerians, such as former President Olusegun Obasanjo and Bishop Matthew Kukah, urging him to reconsider. Babalola stated, “I have nothing to gain from Farotimi’s imprisonment. I assured the traditional rulers that I would instruct my lawyers to withdraw the case.”

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Ogunwusi, commended Babalola for his decision, emphasizing that Yoruba leaders had been closely monitoring the issue. He described the intervention as a way to encourage forgiveness and praised Babalola’s integrity and steadfastness.

Oba Ogunwusi further urged Babalola to remain a model of principle and justice within the Yoruba and Nigerian communities.