The Labour Party presidential flag bearer in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, on Monday, praised the founder of Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti, Aare Afe Babalola, for agreeing to withdraw the cases instituted against human rights activist and lawyer, Dele Farotimi.

Following Babalola’s petition to the police commissioner in Ekiti that Farotimi defamed him in a book titled ‘Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System’, the police arrested the activist and arraigned him before two courts in Ekiti.

Consequently, Farotimi stood trial for alleged criminal defamation before an Ekiti State Magistrate Court, Ado Ekiti District and as well for alleged cyber-bullying before the Ado Ekiti Division of Federal High Court.

However, Babalola, who spoke at ABUAD after the intervention of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, and other top traditional rulers at the midnight meeting, said, he had agreed to withdraw the criminal case, saying, “I will tell my lawyers to withdraw the case.”

Also in attendance were the Chairman, Ekiti State Council of Traditional Rulers and the Olojudo of Ido Ekiti, Oba Ayorinde Ilori-Faboro; the Ewi of Ado Ekiti, Oba Adeyemo Adejugbe; the Ajero of Ijero Ekiti, Oba Joseph Adewole: the Ogoga of Ikere Ekiti, Oba Adejimi Adu; the Oloye of Oye Ekiti, Oba Michael Ademolaju; and the Alaaye of Efon Ekiti, Oba Emmanuel Aladejare.

Babalola, who restated the importance of the Yoruba traditional institution and the influence it wielded, said, “The monarchs are here, they have appealed to me over a criminal charge involving somebody who said I was corrupt.”

The Senior Advocate of Nigeria said that he felt so bad that Farotimi accused him of winning all his cases through corruption; hence, he rejected all earlier appeals to him to take the cases out of court.

He also listed those who appealed to him to take the matter out of court including former President Olusegun Obasanjo; the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Mathew Kukah; and the Ewi of Ado Ekiti, Oba Adejugbe.

Reacting, Obi welcomed the development as a positive outcome.

Speaking through his media aide, Ibrahim Umar, the former Anambra governor stated that the decision demonstrated that Babalola is committed to finding peaceful solutions to the conflict.

He said, “We are pleased that this matter has been resolved amicably, and we believe that this outcome is a testament to the power of dialogue, and constructive engagement. Let me set the record straight: Obi’s visit to Afe Babalola was not about begging for pardon for Dele Farotimi, but rather a genuine effort at intervention and conflict resolution.

“As a leader, Obi recognises the importance of peaceful resolution of disputes, and his actions were guided by this principle. Now, with the news that Afe Babalola has agreed to withdraw the suit against Dele Farotimi, we welcome this development as a positive outcome of Obi’s intervention.

“This decision demonstrates that Chief Babalola is also committed to finding peaceful solutions to conflicts, and we commend him for this gesture. It’s worth noting that Mr. Obi’s actions were driven by his desire to facilitate a peaceful resolution that would allow all parties to move forward positively and constructively

In a similar development, the National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement Worldwide, Yunusa Tanko in an exclusive interview with The PUNCH also applauded Babalola for withdrawing the charges.

Tanko, who was Obi’s former spokesman, added that he was happy the efforts put in by Obi and other elder statesmen finally paid off.

“The withdrawal of the defamation suit against Farotimi was a landmark achievement on the part of the Nigerian people who stood firm in the demand for his release. To say the truth, we have challenges in every sphere of our lives.

“But Dele is very good at articulating or bringing out the ills within the judicial system. He didn’t mean to intimidate or hurt anybody. Rather he brings it out so that if there are chance of us redeeming ourselves, it will be a big opportunity.

“It is a commendable effort. This is also to show the kind of empathy Peter Obi and he protects everybody, especially those close to him,” he noted.