Balogun Tumininu.
The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi Enitan along with five other prominent traditional rulers, intervened in the ongoing dispute between Afe Babalola and Dele Farotimi, author of the book “Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System”.
The delegation, which included the Ewi of Ado, Ajero of Ijero, Ogoga of Ikere, Alaaye of Efon Alaaye, and the Olojudo of Ido Ekiti, met with Babalola at his Ado-Ekiti residence on Sunday night.
The meeting was a response to the controversy surrounding Farotimi’s book, which alleged that Babalola corrupted the judiciary and procured a revised judgment in the Supreme Court. Babalola had instituted a criminal defamation suit against Farotimi, who was arrested and remanded in prison for three weeks before being granted bail.
During the meeting, the Ooni of Ife and the other monarchs urged Babalola to forgive Farotimi and withdraw the criminal charges against him. Babalola, who had initially rejected appeals from prominent Nigerians, including former President Olusegun Obasanjo and Bishop Matthew Kukah, eventually agreed to withdraw the charges.
In a statement, Babalola said he had forgiven Farotimi and would instruct his lawyers to withdraw the criminal charges against him immediately. He also expressed his pride in being a Yoruba man and his commitment to upholding the values of Omoluwabi, which emphasizes integrity, honor, and respect for elders.