The Ooni of Ife, Arole Oduduwa Olofin Adimula, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, CFR, Ojaja II, alongside prominent Yoruba traditional rulers in Ekiti State, visited Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD) to appeal for clemency for human rights lawyer and activist, Dele Farotimi. The appeal was made to the university’s founder, Aare Afe Babalola, urging him to withdraw the ongoing criminal case against Farotimi.
The Ooni arrived at ABUAD at 10:08 pm on Sunday and was welcomed by Aare Afe Babalola, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Elisabeta Smaranda Olarinde, and other key university officials, including the bursar, public relations officer, deans, and the legal team handling the case.
During a closed-door meeting attended by other Yoruba monarchs, including the Ewi of Ado, Oba Rufus Adejugbe Aladesanmi III, and the Chairman of the Ekiti Council of Traditional Rulers, Oba Ilori Faboro, the Ooni highlighted the importance of utilizing alternative dispute resolution methods rooted in Yoruba tradition.
Speaking to journalists after the meeting, the Ooni emphasized the need for reconciliation, describing the case as a dispute between father and son.
“We have come today to appeal to Aare Babalola to forgive his son, Dele Farotimi, and withdraw the criminal charges against him. Aare Babalola is a respected elder statesman and a proponent of Yoruba values. We believe forgiveness will uphold the ethos of Omoluabi that binds us as a race,” the Ooni said.
Responding to the appeal, Aare Afe Babalola accepted the request, citing his respect for the Yoruba traditional institution and its leaders. He announced that he would instruct his legal team to withdraw the charges against Farotimi.
“I am a proud Yoruba man. Many prominent Nigerians, including former President Olusegun Obasanjo and Bishop Matthew Kukah, have appealed to me on this matter, but I declined. However, the intervention of the Ooni and other traditional rulers today has changed my stance. I hereby forgive Dele Farotimi and will withdraw all charges,” Babalola declared.
In an emotional response, Aare Babalola reflected on his values of integrity and his lifelong fight against corruption, emphasizing that his decision was influenced by the Yoruba adage, ‘Eni ti o ba ni nkan lati ṣe, kii wo elegan rara’ (Those who focus on making a difference do not bother with criticism).
The Ooni departed ABUAD around 12:30 am for his Ojaja Park in Akure and is expected to proceed to Abuja today.
