By Godwin Nzemeka
The legal feud between Chief Afe Babalola, the Chancellor of Afe Babalola University (ABUAD), Ado-Ekiti, and human rights lawyer and activist, Dele Farotimi, has been resolved through the intervention of the Ooni of Ife, HRM Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi and other prominent traditional rulers of Yoruba extraction.
In a statement issued by the Director of Media and Public Affairs, Ooni’s Palace, Otunba Moses Olafare, the Ooni of Ife, in the company of some prominent traditional rulers in Ekiti, visited Chief Babalola at ABUAD, Sunday night and pleaded with him to forgive Farotimi and withdraw the criminal case instituted against him.
According to the press statement, Ooni Ogunwusi, in his speech, noted that having watched the scenario surrounding the criminal case instituted against Dele Farotimi, it became imperative to apply Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) method, which the Yorubas are known for, while describing the feud as a case between father and son.
The revered Monarch told Chief Babalola, “We’ve all come together as traditional Rulers to discuss with you on this issue and this gentleman Dele Farotimi is your son and you must forgive him and withdraw the criminal charges against him. As a father, you have soft sons and you have tough sons, Dele Farotimi is a tough son of yours. You have indeed made a point that your name can not be be messed with”.
“We have been very proud of you as a great Yoruba elder statesman. You have done great things for this race and Nigeria such that your name can never be forgotten.
“We’ve all come together as traditional rulers to discuss with you on this issue and this gentleman Dele Farotimi is your son and you must forgive him and withdraw the criminal charges against him. As a father, you have soft sons and you have tough sons, Dele Farotimi is a tough son of yours. You have indeed made a point that your name can not be be messed with.”
In his response, Chief Babalola did not hesitate to accept the request of the royal fathers, stressing that he grew up as a child to understand such interventions by the traditional rulers.
Chief Babalola declared that he had not only forgiven Dele Farotimi, but also will instruct his lawyers to withdraw the criminal charges against him with immediate effect, as a mark of honour for the Ooni and the other Obas.
“Today is a very important day for me. I’m a Yoruba man and I’m very proud to be one. Ewi of Ado has come here to meet me on this matter, former President Obasanjo has intervened, same with Bishop Matthew Kukah and a host of other prominent Nigerians to ask for the exact thing you have come to ask for this evening. My answer to them has been “NO” but today my answer is “YES”, he declared.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Vice Chancellor of ABUAD, Prof. Elizabeth Smaranda Olarinde, who was among the staff and legal team that accompanied Chief Babalola to welcome the traditional rulers, acknowledged Ooni’s love for the founder of ABUAD and the school itself, which she described as one of the leading universities in Africa.
