LPDC rejects Afe Babalola’s request to debar Farotimi over defamation allegations
Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC) has turned down Afe Babalola’s request to revoke the law practising license of lawyer and author, Dele Farotimi, over allegations bordering on criminal defamation and professional misconduct.
LPDC replied to a petition authored by Ola Faro, a lawyer in Emmanuel Chambers, alleging Mr Farotimi made defamatory statements against the Supreme Court and the legal profession in his controversial book ‘Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System’.
In its report marked B8B/LPDC/1571/2024, the legal committee said offences identified in the petition are linked to Mr Farotimi’s capacity as an author, not during his practice as a legal professional.
The LPDC chairman, Justice Isaq Usman Bello, further noted the petition could not be granted due to jurisdictional limitations, advising parties involved to rather seek redress in court.
“The publication is an intellectual property and not a conduct or action committed while practising as a legal practitioner. All aggrieved parties who find the publication ‘defamatory’ should ventilate their grievances through the regular courts”, the report noted.
Meanwhile, Mr Farotimi on Tuesday regained freedom from prison having met his bail conditions.
“I am pleased to report that @DeleFarotimi Farotimi is no longer being held at the prison yards in Ekiti state and is now returning home to Lagos. The struggle continues!”, wrote Omoyele Sowore, a human rights activist, on X.
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