Dele Farotimi Arrest: Afe Babalola Sends Message to Peter Obi After Controversial Visit

Legal luminary Afe Babalola has informed 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi that Dele Farotimi must retract his “not guilty” plea and publish a public apology in major newspapers to resolve the ongoing defamation case.

According to The Nation, Babalola made this statement during a visit from the former Anambra governor on Monday evening. Obi reportedly sought forgiveness on behalf of Dele Farotimi, a prominent member of the “Obidient Movement.”

It was revealed that before Obi’s visit, former President Olusegun Obasanjo and Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese Matthew Hassan Kukah had also reached out to Chief Babalola regarding the issue.

Farotimi has been detained in Ado-Ekiti since last week on charges of criminal defamation and cybercrime. He is accused by Babalola of tarnishing his reputation in the book, “Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System.”

Babalola stated that if Farotimi admits to the allegations and issues an apology, he would consider dropping the case. “Baba Afe told Obi that he (Babalola) has nothing to gain by Farotimi’s incarceration. If he says the allegations are false and offers an apology in some newspapers, then the case can be withdrawn,” a source said.

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Another source mentioned, “After Obi made his case for Farotimi, Babalola asked whether he had seen Farotimi to know if he has been remorseful. Baba told Obi that everything depended on whether Farotimi was remorseful for his actions or not.”

Additionally, Farotimi reportedly told Obi that he did not invite anyone to plead on his behalf and demanded that the case against him be withdrawn first as a pre-condition for his apology.

Farotimi will remain in prison custody until December 20, when Magistrate Adeosun will rule on his bail application.