The Law Firm of Afe Babalola has formally submitted a petition to the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC), seeking the removal of lawyer and human rights activist Dele Farotimi from the roll of Nigerian legal practitioners. The petition, dated December 6, 2024, alleges that Farotimi violated several provisions of the Rules of Professional Conduct for Lawyers.
The 90-page petition, signed by Ola Faro, a partner at Afe Babalola & Co., claims that Farotimi’s actions, particularly in his book Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System, have brought the judiciary and legal profession into disrepute. The petition accuses Farotimi of making unfounded allegations of corruption against prominent figures, including justices of the Supreme Court, judges of the High Court of Lagos State, Aare Afe Babalola SAN, Olu Deramola SAN, and others within the law firm of Afe Babalola & Co.
Faro emphasized that the petition was being made both in his personal capacity and on behalf of the law firm. He outlined a series of alleged violations, including accusations that Farotimi had engaged in conduct unbecoming of a legal practitioner by making false statements about the Supreme Court and the legal profession.
The petition further accuses Farotimi of participating in unlawful conduct, such as bribing judicial officers and gaining unauthorized access to a judge. It also claims that Farotimi knowingly made false statements in an effort to undermine a Supreme Court decision, thus obstructing justice and misrepresenting facts to benefit his client.
The petitioners also allege that Farotimi displayed disrespect and a lack of professionalism towards fellow lawyers, manipulated facts, and engaged in conduct that negatively affected the administration of justice.
In addition, they point to statements in Farotimi’s book, which they claim have the potential to inflame tensions within the legal profession and society at large. The book’s accusations, they argue, were intended to discredit the judiciary and tarnish the reputations of the justices and legal practitioners involved.
This petition follows a series of legal actions against Farotimi. Earlier this year, both the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja and the Oyo State High Court issued orders barring Farotimi from publishing, distributing, or selling his book. Farotimi has also been arrested and arraigned in Ekiti State for defamation and cyberbullying, based on allegations made by Afe Babalola in his book.
Farotimi’s ongoing legal battles have led to his remand in prison, as he faces charges related to the defamation of senior legal professionals.
