By JKNewsMedia
YORUBA TRADITIONAL leaders have resolved a contentious legal battle between legal luminary Aare Afe Babalola and rights activist Dele Farotimi.
The dispute, stemming from a criminal defamation suit filed by Babalola over allegations in Farotimi’s book ‘Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System’, reached a peaceful conclusion after an intervention led by the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi.
The Ooni, joined by prominent Ekiti State traditional rulers, visited Afe Babalola at Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti (ABUAD), late Sunday night.
Among those present were the Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adejugbe Aladesanmi III; Ajero of Ijero, Oba Adewole Adebayo; Ogoga of Ikere, Oba Samuel Adu; and Olojudo of Ido, Oba Ilori Faboro.
Their plea centred on urging Babalola to embrace the Yoruba ethos of reconciliation and withdraw the case.
Speaking at the gathering, Ooni Ogunwusi described the intervention as an effort to maintain harmony within the Yoruba community.
“This case concerns a father and his son. It is essential to resolve it through dialogue, as our ancestors taught us,” he said.
He praised Babalola for his integrity and contributions to the nation, calling on him to forgive Farotimi as a symbolic gesture of leadership and compassion.
Afe Babalola, visibly moved, announced his decision to withdraw the suit. “I have received appeals from eminent Nigerians, including former President Olusegun Obasanjo and Bishop Hassan Kukah, but my answer was always ‘no.’
“However, I cannot refuse this gathering of traditional rulers, representing the Yoruba nation’s spirit of peace and unity,” he said.
Babalola acknowledged the pain caused by the defamation but reiterated that imprisonment or damages against Farotimi would not serve any purpose.
“I have nothing to gain from his imprisonment. My focus is on integrity and the legacy I leave behind. Today, I choose forgiveness.”
The meeting ended close to midnight, with the Ooni commending Babalola’s decision as a triumph of the Yoruba philosophy of Omoluwabi—a code of conduct emphasising respect, integrity, and communal harmony.
Later as the Ooni departed for his Ojaja Park in Akure, he expressed his satisfaction with the outcome, reiterating the importance of peaceful resolution in such matters.
