Olayiwola Matthew
The Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, on Monday, visited the founder of Afe Babalola University, Aare Afe Babalola, in Ado Ekiti to discuss ongoing legal cases involving activist lawyer Dele Farotimi.
Farotimi faces defamation and cybercrime charges in an Ekiti State Magistrates’ Court and the Federal High Court, Ado Ekiti.
The defamation charge stems from allegations in Farotimi’s book Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System that accused Babalola of influencing Supreme Court judges.
While the Magistrates’ Court had earlier remanded Farotimi and adjourned the case until December 10, the Federal High Court granted him bail on Monday, setting the terms at N50 million.
Sources in Ado Ekiti said that Obi was with Babalola to appeal to the senior advocate on the matter of Farotimi.
A source said, “After Obi made his case for Farotimi, Babalola asked whether he had seen Farotimi that he had come to appeal on his behalf to know whether he has been remorseful.
“Baba told Obi that everything depended on whether Farotimi was remorseful for his actions or not.
“Obi pleaded with Babalola to please consider Farotimi and forgive him.”
Another source, who corroborated him, added, “From what I saw, Babalola would be willing to forgive Farotimi, except he decided to choose the path of perdition.
“I think that as it is, he (Farotimi) has to plead for forgiveness before he can be forgiven. We told Obi to go and talk to Farotimi, but if he is not ready for apology and says that he has evidence to prove that Baba corrupted Supreme Court judges, let him go and prove that in court.
“So, consequent upon that, Obi went to the correctional centre to meet with Farotimi. But I cannot say yet what transpired there. But I can tell you that Obi went there to meet him.”