A group of prominent professors and lawyers, under the umbrella of Justice4AfeBabalolaLegacy (JABL), has expressed strong support for Afe Babalola, urging that no one should stand idly by while his reputation is tarnished. The group, which includes respected figures such as Professors Adeyemi Ademowo, Ademola Azeez, Ayodeji Emmanuel, and legal practitioners Mr. Femi Alufa and Mr. Rotimi Opeyeoluwa, made this call during a press briefing in Ibadan yesterday.
Their remarks come in the wake of the ongoing legal battle between Afe Babalola, a distinguished lawyer and philanthropist, and Mr. Dele Farotimi. The group emphasized that being a human rights activist does not give anyone the right to make unfounded accusations.
The Convener and Publicity Secretary of JABL, Messrs. Alufa and Opeyeoluwa, stated that while they respect the judicial process, they were resolute in their desire for justice to prevail for both parties involved in the case. They stressed that Afe Babalola’s achievements in the legal profession and his significant contributions to Nigeria should not be diminished by baseless allegations.
“At 96, Afe Babalola has built a legacy through decades of hard work. We will not stand by and allow anyone to tarnish what he has achieved,” said the group’s spokespersons. They noted that the published book at the center of the controversy, which contains the allegations against Babalola, has already been banned by the court. As a result, they declared that citing the book would be illegal and unethical, as it is not based on factual evidence.
The group also addressed the broader societal issue of resentment towards successful individuals, suggesting that some in Nigeria may harbor ill feelings toward those who have achieved great success. They called for a fair resolution to the case, without succumbing to rumors or speculation.
In defense of Babalola’s character, the group pointed to his unprecedented record of producing numerous Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) and lawyers, asserting that his legacy speaks for itself. “If we had the resources, we would travel across the country to tell people the truth about Afe Babalola,” they added.
JABL also took issue with those suggesting that the libel case should be handled as a civil matter rather than a criminal one. They argued that in several Nigerian states, including Edo and Abuja, libel can be both a civil and criminal offense. “It is Chief Afe Babalola’s right to pursue this case as a criminal defamation if he chooses. No one can dictate how he seeks legal redress,” the group stated.
The supporters concluded by reaffirming their belief in Babalola’s integrity and their commitment to seeing justice served for both parties. “Human rights activism must not infringe upon another person’s rights. Justice must prevail for both Farotimi and Chief Afe Babalola,” they declared.
As the legal proceedings continue, all eyes will remain on the court’s determination of the case.
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