The law firm of Afe Babalola & Co has filed a petition to the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC) seeking the removal of lawyer and human rights activist Dele Farotimi from the roll of Nigerian legal practitioners.

The 90-page petition, dated December 6, 2024, was signed by Ola Faro, a partner in the firm, and alleged multiple breaches of the Rules of Professional Conduct for Legal Practitioners. The petition, titled “Petition against Tomilola Titus Farotimi (also known as Dele Farotimi Esq),” cited provisions of the 2023 rules that were purportedly violated by Farotimi, accusing him of bringing the Nigerian judiciary into disrepute through allegations of corruption in his book, “Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System.”

Faro, who was personally mentioned in the book, detailed several accusations against Farotimi, including:

• Making unfounded allegations of corruption against Supreme Court justices and other judicial officers.
• Engaging in unlawful practices, such as bribing and unlawfully accessing judicial officers.
• Assisting clients in fraudulent and illegal conduct.
• Using unprofessional language to discredit the judiciary and other legal practitioners.
• Frustrating Supreme Court decisions for personal and client benefits.

The petition stated that Farotimi’s actions were detrimental to the dignity of the legal profession and the administration of justice. It also highlighted that his book contained statements capable of inciting societal and professional discord.

The LPDC, which regulates ethical conduct among Nigerian lawyers, is tasked with investigating the allegations.

In a related development, courts in Abuja and Oyo State have issued interim orders restraining Farotimi from further publishing or distributing his controversial book. He is currently in correctional custody in Ado-Ekiti, awaiting a ruling on his bail application scheduled for December 20.