A lawyer representing human rights advocate and legal practitioner Dele Farotimi, Tope Temokun, has strongly denied allegations that his client sent former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, to seek an out-of-court settlement with renowned legal icon Afe Babalola concerning an alleged defamation lawsuit.
Temokun addressed the claims during an appearance on Inside Sources with Laolu Akande, a socio-political program aired on Channels Television on Sunday.
The controversy stems from an incident in early December when Farotimi was arrested by the Ekiti State police at his Lagos office and subsequently transported to Ekiti for prosecution. The charges against him are linked to his book, Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System, in which he accused Afe Babalola of judicial corruption and manipulating a revised Supreme Court judgment. Farotimi has pleaded not guilty to all charges and is currently remanded in custody while awaiting further legal proceedings. In addition to the charges in Ekiti, Farotimi is also facing related charges in Abuja and Oyo State.
During his prison visit to Farotimi in Ado-Ekiti on Friday, Temokun sought to clear up any confusion surrounding the involvement of Peter Obi in the case. It had been reported that Obi, after visiting Farotimi in prison, subsequently met with Afe Babalola to discuss potential terms for a settlement. However, Temokun emphasized that Farotimi had denied sending Obi to initiate any negotiations with Babalola.
“I visited Mr. Dele Farotimi at the correctional facility in Ado-Ekiti yesterday afternoon,” Temokun explained. “Recent developments—particularly the visit by Peter Obi, the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, to both Farotimi and Aare Afe Babalola—had caused some confusion. People were unclear about the nature of these visits and what they signified. I wanted to speak with Mr. Farotimi directly to clarify the situation.”
Temokun continued, explaining that after Obi’s visit to Ekiti, rumors began circulating regarding the terms of Farotimi’s release, including speculation about an apology and possible conditions for his freedom. “When I spoke to Mr. Farotimi, I asked him directly, ‘What do you think should be done? Do you know anything about Peter Obi’s visit to you or to Afe Babalola? What message do you have for Aare Afe Babalola, and what is your message to the public or to me as part of your legal team?'”
Farotimi, according to Temokun, was resolute in his denial. He expressed disappointment at the suggestion that he would seek to resolve the matter through intermediaries, especially given that his book, which has been widely circulated, clearly outlines his stance. “Farotimi told me, ‘Anyone who knows me, my principles, and my philosophy over the years, should not entertain the idea that I would send someone to beg anyone regarding a matter I have already publicly addressed in my book,'” Temokun recounted. “He said, ‘If you, Tope, believe that I could beg anyone or send someone to beg, I would be deeply disappointed in you.'”
Temokun’s statement aims to clear Farotimi’s name from any misconceptions surrounding the case and the involvement of Peter Obi in the ongoing legal matter. Farotimi, who remains confident and optimistic despite the legal battles ahead, has made it clear that he will not compromise his integrity in the face of these allegations.
