By Seyi Odewale
The founder and Chancellor of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), Aare Afe Babalola, said late Sunday that he had dropped all criminal charges against human rights lawyer Dele Farotimi following the intervention of Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi.
Babalola said the country’s Ooni and other prominent traditional rulers had intervened.
Farotimi published a book titled “Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System,” in which he alleged that the ABUAD founder corrupted the Judiciary.
Addressing journalists, Aare Afe Babalola noted that he has no choice but to obey the commandments of the traditional institutions, adding that the statement of an Oba in Yoruba traditional from time immemorial is a command.
He said, “I rejected an oil block, defended the EFCC law, and rejected ministerial nominees twice, wondering why anyone would just wake up and try to rubbish all he had laboured for. I have nothing to gain from his imprisonment; I am happy each time I give.”
The Ooni had earlier appealed to Babalola to consider the various forces and personalities involved.
The monarch hailed Babalola and commended his contribution to developing the Yoruba race, the Nation, and the world.
“We all came together to discuss the matter with him, and he gave all the full respect to the Obas and agreed. We, Obas, can attest to the hard work of Aare Afe Babalola and how he invested so hard to build his name that it cannot be tarnished and rubbished by anyone.
“Aare Afe Babalola has proven to the world that he cherished his name, and the world has heard him loud and clear. Dele Farotimi is your son. We give birth to different children in this world, and as elders, when our children offend us as Yoruba after a little spank, we also pardon such children.”
