News
Afe Babalola Petitions LPDC, Wants Dele Farotimi Barred From Law Practice
The Law Firm of Afe Babalola has written a petition to the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee, (LPDC) asking it to strike out the name of Lagos-based legal practitioner, Dele Farotimi, from the roll of legal practitioners in Nigeria for allegedly violating certain provisions of the rules of professional conduct for lawyers.
The 90-page petition dated December 6, 2024 was signed by a partner in the law firm, Ola Faro, who was also mentioned in Farotimi’s book, “Nigeria and its criminal justice system.”
The petition is titled “PETITION AGAINST TOMILOLA TITUS FAROTIMI (ALSO KNOWN AS DELE FAROTIMI ESQ), A NIGERIAN LAWYER CALLED TO THE NIGERIAN BAR WITH HIS NAME ON THE ROLL OF LEGAL PRACTITIONERS KEPT BY THE SUPREME COURT FOR VIOLATION OF THE EXTANT RULES OF PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT FOR LEGAL PRACTITIONERS RULES 1, 15(1), 15(2B), 15(3A), 15(3G), 15(3I), 15(3J),26(1), 27(1), 30, 31(1), (2) and (4) OF THE RULES OF PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT 2023 BY BRINGING THE ENTIRE JUDICIARY IN NIGERIA INTO DISREPUTE WITH HIS UNFOUNDED ALLEGATIONS OF CORRUPTION AGAINST EMINENT JUSTICES OF THE SUPREME COURT OF NIGERIA, JUDGES OF HIGH COURT OF LAGOS STATE, AARE AFE BABALOLA SAN, OLU DARAMOLA SAN, OLA FARO ESQ, AND THE ENTIRE CHAMBERS OF AFE BABALOLA & CO IN HIS BOOK TITLED ‘NIGERIA AND ITS CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM.”
Ola Faro who stated that he was writing both in his personal capacity “and for and on behalf of the law firm of Afe Babalola & Co.”, gave a background of the facts of the case and detailed the contraventions of the rules of professional conduct by the respondent, Farotimi.
According to the petitioners, Farotimi “engaged in conduct which is unbecoming of a legal practitioner by making false accusations against the Supreme Court and the legal profession.”
The petitioners also stated that Farotimi “Participated in conduct that he believes to be unlawful by bribing judicial officers and having unlawful access to a judicial officer.”
“Joined his clients in committing misconduct and breach of law with reference to judicial officers by having unlawful access to a judicial officer.
“Gave service to his client which he knows is capable of causing a breach of law and disrespect and corrupting a judicial officer.
“Knowingly made false statement of law and facts in respect to a case already decided by the Supreme Court.”
“Assisted his clients in a conduct that he knows to be illegal and fraudulent.”
“Knowingly engaged in illegal conduct in the cause of his practice as a legal practitioner.”
“Treated his fellow lawyers without respect, fairness, consideration and dignity, allowing ill feeling between opposing clients to influence his conduct and demeanour by distorting the facts of a case in the cause of his practice as a legal practitioner.”
“Failed to observe good faith and fairness in dealing with other lawyers in respect to a case already decided by the Supreme Court.”
“Conducted himself in a manner that obstructed, delayed and adversely affected the administration of justice by taking steps to frustrate a decision of the Supreme Court for his personal benefit and benefit of his client who lost at the Supreme Court.”
“Treated the court, particularly the Supreme Court without respect, dignity and honour by using uncouth, unprofessional, undignified and offensive language against the Supreme Court and the justices of the Supreme Court.”
“Made defamatory statements against judicial officers rather than making a complaint to appropriate authorities.”
“Indicated that he discussed a pending case with a judge trying the case in the absence of an opposing lawyer.”
The petitioners stated that “The contravention of these rules by the Respondent (Farotimi) prompted this petition to protect the dignity of the legal profession, the dignity of the court as the temple of justice and to uphold the standards of the legal profession.”
They also noted that some of the statements made in Farotimi’s book are likely set the legal profession and society ablaze and that these statements were made to discredit the entire Nigerian judiciary, Justices of the Supreme Court, judges of the High Court of Lagos State, their law firm and to ridicule them within the legal profession and injure their hard-earned reputation and financial credit.
The Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee, LPDC is the regulatory body that investigates and addresses misconduct among Nigerian lawyers.
The LPDC ensures that legal practitioners adhere to ethical standards and professional conduct.
The body can order that the name of a legal practitioner be struck off the roll of lawyers kept at the Supreme Court. Such decision is however subject to appeal to the Supreme Court.
Anambra State Government has acknowledged that former Governor Peter Obi performed well during his tenure, while clarifying that its ongoing scrutiny of his administration’s financial records is not intended to discredit his achievements or political ambitions.
The state Commissioner for Information and Value Reorientation, Law Mefor, made the clarification while addressing the controversy surrounding Obi’s claim that he left no financial liabilities for subsequent administrations.
Mefor said the government’s position was focused on establishing the accuracy of the state’s financial records, particularly claims relating to funds allegedly left behind by the former governor.
He specifically questioned Obi’s assertion that his administration left N12.13 billion in an ecological fund account domiciled with First Bank at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka branch.
According to the commissioner, the state government requested the relevant account statement from the bank but found no evidence supporting the claimed balance.
Mefor, however, stressed that the financial inquiry should not be interpreted as an attempt to diminish Obi’s record in office.
“The intention of the Anambra State government is not to indict Peter Obi. Peter Obi did well as governor.
“There is no rift between Governor Soludo and Peter Obi. They are both in politics, and they have their interests to defend,” he said.
The comments come amid renewed political exchanges between supporters of Obi, the former Anambra governor and Labour Party presidential candidate, and the administration of Governor Chukwuma Soludo.
While the two politicians have publicly differed over aspects of Anambra’s financial and developmental record, Mefor said the state government’s position was primarily aimed at clarifying the records rather than attacking Obi personally.
Abia State Governor Alex Otti has said he will support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s bid for re-election in 2027, despite remaining a member of the opposition Labour Party (LP).
Otti made the clarification during an interview with Arise Television on Friday, where he addressed questions about his relationship with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and his position on Tinubu’s 2027 ambition.
The governor was asked whether his support for Tinubu amounted to a “comfortable arrangement” between him and the ruling party.
Otti agreed with the description, saying his position as a governor and member of the National Economic Council made it difficult for him to openly oppose the President’s re-election bid.
“It works the way you have said. It’s a statement of fact. I am not in a position to oppose his candidacy,” he said.
Otti explained that although he could disagree with some government policies, his membership of the National Economic Council meant he was also part of the broader governance structure through which federal policies and decisions were discussed.
He said openly opposing the President could create unnecessary tension within the system, adding that he preferred to raise disagreements during government meetings.
“And sometimes people don’t understand the opposition. When you say opposition, and you are part of a government, then what you are driving towards is implosion.
“So if I do have a problem with anything, I’ll sit down in one of our meetings and I’ll make my point. So I’m not going to oppose his candidacy,” Otti said.
The Abia governor further stressed that his role in the National Economic Council had placed him directly within the process of implementing and discussing policies of the Federal Government.
“I had also said that as a governor in this republic, that a lot of the things that are being, in fact, I’m part of all the things that have been done as a member of National Economic Council. So, we should distinguish that.
“When somebody now says, ‘Oh, you are supporting or you’re not,’ I have to support him,” he said.
However, Otti appeared to draw a distinction between supporting Tinubu’s re-election and abandoning the Labour Party.
When reminded of his earlier statement that he still had a presidential candidate in the Labour Party, the governor rejected the suggestion that he was referring to Tinubu.
“No, that’s not what I said,” he said.
Asked whether he was referring specifically to a Labour Party presidential candidate, Otti replied, “Yes.”
But when pressed again on whether he supported Tinubu’s 2027 bid, he responded: “What do you expect me to say? To say I’m not supporting him?”
Otti also said Tinubu had the constitutional right to seek another term in office, while noting that some of the President’s policies were consistent with positions he had previously held.
He specifically cited the removal of the petrol subsidy, which he described as unsustainable.
“Quite frankly, there are a lot of things that we have talked about now, that he has implemented, that resonate with me and my thinking.
“People don’t have to agree with me, but from where I sit, I know that for instance, the fuel subsidy was even unsustainable,” Otti said.
Former Osun governor’s absence raises questions as Atiku unveils campaign structure dominated by top political figures
Former Osun State Governor and National Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Rauf Aregbesola, has been left out of the presidential campaign council unveiled by the party’s candidate, Atiku Abubakar, ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Also absent from the campaign structure is the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi.
The omissions have attracted attention because both officials occupy key positions in the ADC’s national leadership. The party’s official website currently lists Aregbesola as National Secretary and Abdullahi as National Publicity Secretary.
Atiku approved the composition of the campaign council on Thursday, with Kashim Ibrahim-Imam appointed chairman and former Kaduna State Governor Nasir el-Rufai named deputy chairman.
Senator Austin Akobundu was appointed Director-General and Campaign Manager, while veteran journalist and publisher Dele Momodu will oversee the Media and Communications Directorate. Former Kogi West Senator Dino Melaye was named Deputy Director-General of the Contact and Mobilisation Directorate.
Former Edo State Governor and ex-national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), John Oyegun, will chair the Campaign Advisory Board.
The policy team will be headed by Mohammed Hayatu-Deen, who contested the ADC presidential primary alongside Atiku, while former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Kingsley Moghalu, is also listed as a member.
According to Phrank Shaibu, Atiku’s Director of Strategic Communications, the campaign structure was designed around specific responsibilities, with six operational directorates and 30 directors assigned to defined roles.
“This is a structure built for work. Every directorate has a duty. Every director has an assignment. Every appointee must account for results,” Shaibu said.
Why Aregbesola’s absence is attracting attention
Aregbesola’s omission is particularly notable because of his position as one of the senior officers of the opposition party and his involvement in its political activities.
On the same day the campaign council was announced, Aregbesola appeared alongside Atiku and other ADC leaders in Akure, Ondo State, at the reception organised for Eyitayo Jegede, the former governorship candidate who joined the ADC.
However, Abdullahi has played down the significance of the omission.
Speaking to TheCable on Friday, he said the absence of some party leaders from the campaign structure should not be interpreted as evidence of disagreement within the party.
“There are so many party leaders whose names are not there. We play an important role in the party. So, it is not anything,” Abdullahi said.
He argued that the ADC’s national leadership still had to perform its statutory party functions and that removing key national officers from the party structure simply because of the campaign would be counterproductive.
Reported disagreement over campaign structure
Despite that explanation, reports indicate that the composition and structure of the campaign council had generated disagreement within the party.
According to reports, Kashim Ibrahim-Imam, who was appointed chairman of the campaign council, and Dino Melaye were involved in compiling the campaign structure before it was submitted to the ADC leadership for consideration.
Aregbesola was reportedly unhappy with aspects of the proposed organogram, particularly the arrangement under which some party executives would be required to report to individuals serving in the campaign structure who are not members of the party’s formal leadership.
He was also reportedly said to have questioned aspects of the composition of the council.
Soludo Govt Admits: ‘Peter Obi Did Well as Anambra Gov Amid Financial Records Dispute
US Sanctions Ground Iranian Airlines as Saudi Attacks Push Oil Above $106
2027: Otti Backs Tinubu, Says Role as Governor Makes Opposition Difficult
-
Politics4 hours ago2027: Wike to lead campaign team for Tinubu’s re-election in FCT, Rivers
-
News2 hours agoPope Leo XIV Warns Against AI Risks, Urges World to Protect Human Dignity
-
News1 hour agoNigeria @66: Tinubu Urges Citizens to Keep Faith, Says ‘Light At End of Tunnel
-
News8 hours agoFCT minister Wike spreads devt as he visits Chukuku in Kuje(Video)
-
News4 hours ago184.5kg cocaine bust: NDLEA docks KC Luxury, 2 accomplices, remanded in custody ( Photos)
-
News16 hours agoAdeleke justifies UNIOSUN VC’s tenure extension
You must be logged in to post a comment Login