The allegations made by Dele Farotimi against Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Afe Babalola have sparked intense debate about justice, fairness, and the integrity of Nigeria’s legal system. At the heart of the issue is Farotimi’s book, “Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System,” which allegedly contains damaging claims about Babalola’s involvement in corrupting the judiciary.
To start with, Dele Farotimi, is a human rights activist and lawyer, who at various times and diverse places has been a vocal critic of Nigeria’s justice system. In his book, he allegedly made claims that Afe Babalola, a prominent lawyer and founder of Afe Babalola University, had compromised the judiciary through corrupt means.
The allegations specifically mention that Babalola had used his influence to secure favorable judgments in several high-profile cases. In which Farotimi has claimed that Babalola had used his stupendous wealth and vast connections to intimidate and silence those who dared to speak out against him.
And to buttress his allegations, Farotimi has cited the Gbadamosi-Eletu case, involving Major Muritala Gbadamosi & Ors v. H.R.H. Oba Tijani Akinloye & Ors. Farotimi alleged that Babalola corrupted the Supreme Court to the tilt by procuring a fraudulent judgment in favor of his clients. Specifically, he claimed that Babalola corrupted the Supreme Court to procure a fraudulent judgment.Recounting how the law firm of S.B. Joseph & Co., procured a warrant to execute the judgment of the case cited earlier by doctoring the original judgment of the Supreme Court. And how Atilade O, a Justice at the time, under the influence of financial inducement had unlawfully issued a warrant of execution based on the questionable and doctored judgment.
With this in mind, the Pandora’s box unwittingly or wittingly forced open by Farotimi, in a cascade of chains of events, continues to stimulate dire consequences. There is no doubt that once again such sombre allegations made by Farotimi have had significant consequences for all parties involved, without any exception: Dele Farotimi himself. The human rights activist and lawyer who made the allegations against Afe Babalola, has been duly charged to court, while the Babalola’s lawyers have obtained a court order to block the sale of Farotimi’s book on Amazon, and the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory has barred Farotimi from further publishing or distributing the book. Afe Babalola: The prominent lawyer and founder of Afe Babalola University who was accused of corrupting the judiciary, once held in highest of esteem in the legal profession,far and beyond as a monumental icon and role model, is presently having a seemingly dark spot in his once legendary immaculate legal robe. Nigerian Judiciary: The institution accused of being compromised by Babalola’s alleged corrupt activities, is undoubtedly experiencing it’s most bizzare epoch thus far,sombrelly from an insider. Nigerian Government: The government has been criticized for its handling of the case, with many accusing it of attempting to silence Farotimi and satirically drawing a parallel from sensational allegations from a purported 2004 diplomatic cable from the United States Embassy in Abuja, released by WikiLeaks, involving the sitting government in Nigeria in 2004 and the alleged role said to have been played by the government using the same Babalola, to substantiate the recurring antecedence of Babalola in judicial manipulation, in previous high-stakes political cases, even from foreign sources.
Beyond the damage Farotimi’s allegation might ever bestowed upon the credibility of Babalola, the greatest tragedy is that the allegations have further eroded the public’s confidence in Nigeria’s judiciary. Often time, far before this pivotal event involving Farotimi and Babalola, many Nigerians already view the judiciary in Nigeria as ‘fantastically’ corrupt and biased, a stinking puddle, where justice is for sale to the highest bidders and therefore Farotimi’s sizzling allegations have only reinforced this perception and coincidentally in black and white, to wit on record and not just the usual muted gossips in “pepper soup and beer parlour joints”.
And then, this event has further shown that the possibility of the intimidation of critics, is still a potent recurring decimal in this democratic dispensation. More reason why the Nigerian government’s response to Farotimi’s allegations has been quickly criticized as an attempt to intimidate and silence critics, ”a whistleblower”, with many Nigerians criticizing the use of handcuffs on Farotimi during his arraignment in court. Farotimi was charged with 12 counts of cybercrime, including defamation, and was granted N50 million bail with conditions.
And for emphasis, the allegations from Farotimi, have greatly damaged Babalola’s reputation, with many questioning his integrity and commitment to justice. To the extent that, no matter the outcome of the court case between Farotimi and Babalola, no matter the turn of events about and around the Farotimi’s allegations, no matter the damage control that might be engineered, the role of Babalola in the dispensation of justice and upholding the rules of law in Nigeria, would always be in doubt. While, regardless of the ability of the court to separate evidence-based claims from unsubstantiated assertions or allegations, as this drama between Farotimi and Babalola unfolds, average Nigerians have already made up their minds as far as who and what to believe are concerned.
Going forward, what the courts and justice system in Nigeria must as a matter of national urgency do to redeem themselves and restore a scintilla of confidence in the judicial system in Nigeria:
To redeem itself, the Nigerian justice system must prioritize transparency, accountability, and impartiality.
By transparency, like never before, it is incumbent that the justice system in Nigeria must be open and transparent in its handling of cases, including the Babalola-Farotimi controversy.
By accountability, it is now highly essential that those found guilty of corruption or misconduct must be held accountable, regardless of their position or influence in our society.
Furthermore, by impartiality, it is now highly important that the justice system must ensure that cases are handled without bias or undue influence, and that the rights of all parties involved are protected.And not only done in such manner, but seen to have been done in such manner by all!
Incidentally, it should also be added that there is a greater need for a far reaching reform. In other words, the justice system must undergo decisive, incisive and surgical across board reforms to address the underlying issues that have led to the erosion of confidence in its integrity.
Undoubtedly, the controversy surrounding Dele Farotimi’s allegations against Afe Babalola is a case study in the challenges facing Nigeria’s justice system. The allegations have highlighted the need for transparency, accountability, and impartiality in the justice system. To regain the public’s trust, the Nigerian justice system must demonstrate its commitment to upholding the principles of justice, fairness, and transparency. This includes ensuring that those found guilty of corruption or misconduct are held accountable, regardless of their position or influence.
Ultimately, the Nigerian justice system must undergo significant reforms to address the underlying issues that have led to the erosion of confidence in its integrity. Only then can the justice system truly serve as a fair arbiter in the pursuit of justice and prevent the emergence of another unwitting generations of ”Farotimis”.
