Afe Babalola Law Firm Seeks Dele Farotimi’s Expulsion from Nigeria’s Legal Practitioners Register

The Afe Babalola law firm in Ibadan has confirmed the submission of a petition to the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC), seeking the removal of prominent lawyer and human rights activist, Dele Farotimi, from the register of legal practitioners in Nigeria.

The petition alleges that Farotimi violated several provisions of the Rules of Professional Conduct for lawyers in the country.

Speaking anonymously, an anonymous lawyer from the firm stated, “While I am not officially permitted to comment extensively, this petition is not targeted at one individual alone but is about preserving the integrity of our legal system.”

He continued, “If we allow such behaviour to go unchecked, it undermines the trust the public places in us as legal practitioners. Upholding the highest ethical standards is not optional; it is a responsibility. The allegations against Farotimi do not only reflect on him but on the entire legal profession. We cannot remain silent while the judiciary’s reputation is jeopardized.”

The 90-page petition, dated December 6, 2024, was signed by Ola Faro, a partner at the firm. Faro was also referenced in Farotimi’s book, “Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System.” The petition outlines the background of the case and details the alleged violations of the Rules of Professional Conduct by Farotimi.

According to the petition, Farotimi was accused of engaging in conduct unbecoming of a legal practitioner by making false accusations against the Supreme Court and the legal profession. The petitioners further alleged that Farotimi participated in unlawful conduct, specifically by bribing judicial officers and gaining unlawful access to a judicial officer.

Faro stated, “He joined his clients in committing misconduct and breach of law with reference to judicial officers by having unlawful access to a judicial officer. He gave service to his client which he knows is capable of causing a breach of law and disrespect and corrupting a judicial officer. He knowingly made a false statement of law and facts with respect to a case already decided by the Supreme Court. He assisted his clients in a conduct that he knows to be illegal and fraudulent. Treated his fellow lawyers without respect, fairness, consideration, and dignity, allowing ill feelings 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.”

These statements, they claimed, were made to discredit the Nigerian judiciary, including Justices of the Supreme Court, judges of the High Court of Lagos State and their law firm, and to subject them to ridicule within the legal community, thereby damaging their hard-earned reputation and financial standing.

Farotimi was arrested and arraigned before the Federal High Court in Ekiti State as well as an Ekiti State Magistrates’ Court, Ado-Ekiti over his controversial book, ‘Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System’.

The charges revolve around defamation and cyberbullying, based on a petition filed by Babalola, who alleged that Farotimi defamed him in his book.

According to the police, Farotimi’s book accuses Babalola and other SANs of corrupting justices of the Supreme Court. Following his arraignment, Farotimi has been remanded in prison.

– VANGUARD / PUNCH