- As Obi gets slammed by Sowore, others
- Pro-Farotimi’s protests begin today
Following Mr Peter Obi’s visit on Monday to the founder of Afe Babalola University, Aare Afe Babalola, in Ado Ekiti to discuss the ongoing legal tussle between him and rights lawyer Dele Farotimi, Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Prof. Yemi Akinseye George described the move as “a powerful demonstration of Mr Obi’s leadership capacity.”
Extolling the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate for his action, Akinseye-George in a WhatsApp chat sent to Law & Society Magazine said: “I commend Mr Peter Obi for the thoughtful visit to Aare Afe Babalola, SAN, OFR, CFR at Ado Ekiti. This is a powerful demonstration of Mr Obi’s leadership capacity and peace-building acumen. Kudos sir.
“Aare Afe Babalola has given literally all that he ever made back to the society through the establishment of ABUAD. He employs thousands of workers in his numerous enterprises. If all our wealthy people were like Aare Afe Babalola, Nigeria would be an El Dorado.”
Meanwhile, the one-time Governor of Anambra State has come under heavy criticism for paying the old Senior Advocate of Nigeria, a visit amid the ongoing trial.
Obi, who led a delegation to Aare Babalola’s office in Ekiti on Monday, refused to make the purpose of the visit public. He also visited Mr Farotimi in jail.
Despite not making the purpose of the visit public, Obi could be taking that step regarding the allegations preferred by Mr Farotimi over his controversial book ‘Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System’, which has caught the attention of Nigerians both at home and abroad.
Reacting to Obi’s visit, in a tweet on Monday night, SaharaReporters publisher Omoyele Sowore slammed Mr Obi’s visit as harmful to the struggles to address injustice in Nigeria’s judicial system.
“I condemn those who went to ‘beg’ Chief Afe Babalola today over the unjust detention and persecution of @DeleFarotimi; the delegation led by @PeterObi did colossal injustice to the struggle to drain the swamp of judicial criminality in our country,” Mr Sowore posted on X.
A source said, “After Obi made his case for Farotimi, Babalola asked whether he had seen Farotimi that he had come to appeal on his behalf to know whether he has been remorseful.
“Baba told Obi that everything depended on whether Farotimi was remorseful for his actions or not.
“Obi pleaded with Babalola to please consider Farotimi and forgive him.”
Another source, who corroborated him, added, “From what I saw, Babalola would be willing to forgive Farotimi, except he decided to choose the path of perdition.
“I think that as it is, he (Farotimi) has to plead for forgiveness before he can be forgiven. We told Obi to go and talk to Farotimi, but if he is not ready for apology and says that he has evidence to prove that Baba corrupted Supreme Court judges, let him go and prove that in court.
“So, consequent upon that, Obi went to the correctional centre to meet with Farotimi. But I cannot say yet what transpired there. But I can tell you that Obi went there to meet him.”
Meanwhile, a social activist, Moses Paul, shared a video and pictures of Obi visiting Afe Babalola and the correctional service in Ado-Ekiti.
Paul wrote, “Today, Mr. @PeterObi traveled from Lagos to Ekiti State, dedicating the entire day to meaningful engagements. He visited Aare Afe Babalola at his office within the Afe Babalola University, where they had in-depth discussions on critical issues, including the situation of activists and lawyer @DeleFarotimi.
“Following this, Mr. @PeterObi proceeded to the prison facility where @DeleFarotimi is being held. In a private meeting, he expressed solidarity and engaged in a candid exchange aimed at addressing the prevailing challenges.”
While the Magistrates’ Court had earlier remanded Farotimi and adjourned the case until December 10, the Federal High Court granted him bail on Monday, setting the terms at N50 million.
Mr Farotimi is standing trial over defamation allegations preferred against him by Babalola.
The controversy surrounding the book, which initially saw low sales after its release in July, has made it a bestseller on Amazon within three days of its author’s incarceration as curious Nigerians besieged the site with orders to read the damning accusations of corruption levelled against Babalola.
The defamation charge stems from allegations in Farotimi’s book Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System that accused Babalola of influencing Supreme Court judges.
Moreover, protests against the continued incarceration of Mr Farotimi were slated to be held Tuesday in Lagos, Abuja, Ekiti and London.
