Details regarding how the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, intervened in the lingering court case instituted by Aare Afe Babalola (SAN), against human rights lawyer and activist, Dele Farotimi have emerged.
The Director of Media and Public Affairs for the Ooni’s palace, Moses Olafare in a statement disclosed how the Ooni of Ife, accompanied by several traditional rulers from Ekiti State, visited Afe Babalola University (ABUAD), Ado Ekiti, on Sunday night to plead with Babalola to withdraw the charges.
According to the statement, the Ooni, along with other prominent Yoruba monarchs, including the Ewi of Ado, Oba Rufus Adejugbe Aladesanmi III; the Ajero of Ijero, Oba Adewole Joseph Adebayo; the Ogoga of Ikere, Oba Samuel Adejinmi Adu; the Alaaye of Efon Alaaye, Oba Dr. Emmanuel Aladejare Agunsoye II; and the Olojudo of Ido Ekiti, Oba Ilori Faboro, held a late-night meeting with Babalola at ABUAD.
Ooni Ogunwusi passionately appealed to Babalola, emphasizing his role as an elder statesman and a custodian of Yoruba values.
“We’ve all come together as traditional rulers to discuss this issue. Dele Farotimi is your son, and you must forgive him and withdraw the criminal charges against him,” the Ooni said.
The monarch also outlined Babalola’s exemplary contributions to Nigeria and the Yoruba race, praising his achievements and stature as a respected elder.
In response, Afe Babalola, acknowledged the significance of the visit and the influence of Yoruba tradition, agreed to forgive Farotimi and withdraw the charges.
“Today is a very important day for me. Ewi of Ado, former President Obasanjo, Bishop Matthew Kukah, and others have all intervened. My answer to them was ‘no,’ but today, my answer is ‘yes.’ I will instruct my lawyers to withdraw the charges immediately,” Babalola stated.