The feud between activist Dele Farotimi and senior lawyer Afe Babalola over alleged defamation continues to draw attention, with prominent figures like Peter Obi, Olusegun Obasanjo, and Bishop Matthew Kukah reportedly stepping in to mediate. The case stems from Farotimi’s 2024 book, Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System, which Babalola claims defames him by accusing him of influencing Nigeria’s Supreme Court to secure fraudulent judgments. The police have filed a 16-count charge, including criminal defamation, against Farotimi, who remains in custody pending further court proceedings.
Peter Obi has criticized the handling of the case, arguing that defamation should be treated as a civil matter and warning against using legal systems to suppress dissent. Observers see this case as a significant test of the balance between freedom of expression and protection of reputation in Nigeria’s judiciary.
