Yoruba Union condemns Farotimi’s detention, demands withdrawal of lawsuits within 3 weeks
A Yoruba Union, known as Ìgbìnmó Májékóbájé Ilé-Yorúbá, has expressed dissatisfaction with the continued detention of human rights activist, Dele Farotimi over alleged defamation of a legal luminary, Chief Afe Babalola (SAN).
The union in a statement issued on Sunday by its Convener, Olusola Oluwaseyi Badero, and signed by the General Secretary, Olugbenga Olotu, described Farotimi’s detention as a gross abuse of justice.
The group noted that Babalola abused his influence.
It also described Babalola as an “old tyrant” who should focus on how to unite the Yoruba race rather than suppressing dissent.
The group alleged that Farotimi was abducted in Lagos and taken to Ekiti State over claims that he defamed Babalola in his book: “Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System.”
The statement read: “Everything Dele Farotimi revealed in his book is a reflection of reality, exposing Afe Babalola’s hidden secret of bribing judges to subvert justice for his own benefit.
“WikiLeaks document revealed how the former President, Olusegun Obasanjo funneled $1.125 million through Chief Afe Babalola to influence Appeal Court judges in declaring Boni Haruna as the Governor of Adamawa State in 2000.
“This is a testament to what Afe Babalola has done, precisely as Farotimi described in his book.
“No doubt, Nigeria judiciary system has been compromised by people like Afe Babalola, who used their influence to corrupt the system. They hide under the guise of statesmanship to bribe corrupt judges and subvert justice.
“Why is Afe Babalola jumping from one court to another, like a grieving parent seeking solace, in a bid to secure court orders banning the sale and further publication of Farotimi’s book?
“If Afe Babalola is not guilty of the crimes he is accused of, why is he filing lawsuits in different courts across various states? If not for the weakened state of the Nigerian judiciary, someone with a history of alleged corruption like Afe Babalola would not be abusing court processes or using the Nigerian police to intimidate oppressed individuals.
“We are giving Afe Babalola and his associates a three-week ultimatum to withdraw all lawsuits against Dele Farotimi, or we will occupy various embassies and petition the United Nations regarding his role in corrupting the Nigerian judicial system.
“We, Ìgbìnmó Májékóbájé Ilé-Yorúbá, stand firmly behind Dele Farotimi. We will do everything necessary, within the bounds of the law, to secure justice for Farotimi and for all prisoners of conscience who have been arrested or intimidated by Nigeria’s oppressors.”
Yoruba Union condemns Farotimi’s detention, demands withdrawal of lawsuits within 3 weeks
A Yoruba Union, known as Ìgbìnmó Májékóbájé Ilé-Yorúbá, has expressed dissatisfaction with the continued detention of human rights activist, Dele Farotimi over alleged defamation of a legal luminary, Chief Afe Babalola (SAN).
The union in a statement issued on Sunday by its Convener, Olusola Oluwaseyi Badero, and signed by the General Secretary, Olugbenga Olotu, described Farotimi’s detention as a gross abuse of justice.
The group noted that Babalola abused his influence.
It also described Babalola as an “old tyrant” who should focus on how to unite the Yoruba race rather than suppressing dissent.
The group alleged that Farotimi was abducted in Lagos and taken to Ekiti State over claims that he defamed Babalola in his book: “Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System.”
The statement read: “Everything Dele Farotimi revealed in his book is a reflection of reality, exposing Afe Babalola’s hidden secret of bribing judges to subvert justice for his own benefit.
“WikiLeaks document revealed how the former President, Olusegun Obasanjo funneled $1.125 million through Chief Afe Babalola to influence Appeal Court judges in declaring Boni Haruna as the Governor of Adamawa State in 2000.
“This is a testament to what Afe Babalola has done, precisely as Farotimi described in his book.
“No doubt, Nigeria judiciary system has been compromised by people like Afe Babalola, who used their influence to corrupt the system. They hide under the guise of statesmanship to bribe corrupt judges and subvert justice.
“Why is Afe Babalola jumping from one court to another, like a grieving parent seeking solace, in a bid to secure court orders banning the sale and further publication of Farotimi’s book?
“If Afe Babalola is not guilty of the crimes he is accused of, why is he filing lawsuits in different courts across various states? If not for the weakened state of the Nigerian judiciary, someone with a history of alleged corruption like Afe Babalola would not be abusing court processes or using the Nigerian police to intimidate oppressed individuals.
“We are giving Afe Babalola and his associates a three-week ultimatum to withdraw all lawsuits against Dele Farotimi, or we will occupy various embassies and petition the United Nations regarding his role in corrupting the Nigerian judicial system.
“We, Ìgbìnmó Májékóbájé Ilé-Yorúbá, stand firmly behind Dele Farotimi. We will do everything necessary, within the bounds of the law, to secure justice for Farotimi and for all prisoners of conscience who have been arrested or intimidated by Nigeria’s oppressors.”
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