Farotimi Released, Obi Celebrates Development

•LPDC says it can’t debar embattled lawyer over alleged defamation against Afe Babalola

Chuks Okocha and Alex Enumah in Abuja

Embattled lawyer and activist, Mr. Dele Farotimi, who has been in detention for several weeks following allegation of defamation against a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Chief Afe Babalola, was yesterday released from prison in Ekiti State.

This development has however elicited jubilation from many quarters, including the presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the last general election, Peter Obi, who expressed happiness at the development.

Also, the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC), has explained that the reason Farotimi could not be delisted from the record of legal practitioners in the country, because the allegations against him bordered on acts of an author and not a legal practitioner.

A few days ago, a Chief Magistrate Court in Ado Ekiti, had granted Farotimi, who was being tried for alleged defamation, a N30 million bail.

This also included two sureties, one of whom must be a property owner, a submission of Farotimi’s passport and a prohibition of Farotimi granting media interviews once released.

An X post by politician and activist, Omoyele Sowore, disclosed that Farotimi had met his bail conditions and was on his way to Lagos.

He was arrested earlier in the month for allegedly defaming Babalola.

Farotimi, who was remanded in a correctional centre in Ado Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, arrived at the Magistrate Court premises around 9:45 am on Friday amid heavy security presence.

Posting on X, Sowore said, “I am pleased to report that Dele Farotimi is no longer being held at the prison yards in Ekiti state and is now returning home to Lagos. The struggle continues,” he wrote.

Also, confirming his release, another lawyer and activist, Chii Odinakalu, wrote on X, too, that, “In Ekiti, @DeleFarotimi has perfected bail & regained his freedom. He’ll be on his way back to Lagos.

“To all the friends of Justice who have been vigilant through this, we say please remain vigilant. It is not the end nor the beginning of the end. This is an #AttritionMarathon.”

Addressing his supporters after his release, Farotimi restated his commitment to truth in his fight for justice.

His loyalists and supporters had been protesting since his arrest and prosecution, insisting that it was an act of illegality and injustice.

“In my public advocacy, I have never lied against anyone. If I don’t know something, I will simply say I don’t know,” he said.

National coordinator of the Obidient movement, Dr. Tanko Yunusa, confirmed that Obi offered to stand bail for the embattled activist. This came after Obi, last week, promised to help meet Farotimi’s bail conditions.

Yunusa, however, said in a statement that they were happy over the release who was released from Ado Ekiti prison after meeting the bail bond.

”Today, we rejoice as our brother, Dele Farotimi, has finally reunited with his family in Lagos after meeting the bail conditions that have kept him away from his loved ones. His return home is a testament to the unyielding spirit of truth and resilience that defines our movement.

”We extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who played a critical role in securing his release. To the legal team, supporters, and advocates who stood firm and refused to let injustice prevail, we are immensely grateful.

”A special appreciation goes to our father and leader, Mr. Peter Obi, whose commitment to justice and the rule of law continues to inspire the Obidient Movement and a new Nigeria. His steadfast support and leadership remind us all why we stand firm in our pursuit of a better and fairer Nigeria.

”Together, we will continue to uphold the values that define us, ensuring that no voice is silenced,” he stated.

LPDC: Why We Can’t Debar Farotimi over Alleged Defamation against Afe Babalola

Meanwhile, the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC) has said the reason it could not debar Farotimi was because the allegations against him was as an author and not a lawyer.

A lawyer in the Emmanuel Chambers, Mr Ola Faro, had dragged the activist before the LPDC, accusing him of criminal defamation and professional misconduct.

The petitioner claimed that the book was widely read and distributed physically and on-line, and that the respondent was making commercial gains from its sale.

He tendered excepts from the book for emphasis to conclude that the book “will likely set the legal profession and society ablaze and discredit the entire Nigeria Judiciary, ridicule them within the legal profession and injure their hard earned reputation’ and financial credit.”

Faro, therefore, urged the LPDC to “strike out the name of Farotimi from the Roll of Legal Practitioners in Nigeria for violating Rules 1, 15(1) (2B) (3A) (3C (3J), 2b(1) 27(1) 30, 31(1) (2) and (4) of the Rules Professional Conduct for Legal Practitioners 2023”.

But the LPDC, in its report (B8B/LPDC/1571/2024),THISDAY gathered, declined to debar Farotimi on the grounds that allegations against him bordered on acts of an author and not a legal practitioner.

The committee added that whatever offence Farotimi had committed against Babalola and others or the judiciary were not committed in the course of his legal practice and as such the committee lacked jurisdiction to consider the petition.

“I have methodically considered the Originating Application, alongside the unsigned supporting affidavit and the exhibits. From the publication complained of, I am of the humble opinion that the respondent is an author.

“The publication is an intellectual property and not a conduct/action committed while practicing as a Legal Practitioner. As such, all aggrieved parties, who find the publication ‘defamatory’ should ventilate their grievances through the regular courts.”