The law firm of Afe Babalola has petitioned the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee to remove lawyer and human rights campaigner Dele Farotimi from the list of Nigerian legal practitioners.
The petition claimed that Farotimi breached certain articles of the Rules of Professional Conduct for Lawyers.
Ola Faro, a partner at the business, signed the 90-page petition, which is dated December 6, 2024.
According to Channels, Faro was also mentioned in Farotimi’s book “Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System.”
The petition was titled “Petition against Tomilola Titus Farotimi (also known as Dele Farotimi esq), a Nigerian lawyer called to the Nigerian bar with his name on the roll of legal practitioners kept by the Supreme Court for violation of the extant Rules of Professional Conduct for Legal Practitioners Rules 1, 15(1), 15(2b), 15(3a), 15(3g), 15(3i), 15(3j), 26(1), 27(1), 30, 31(1), (2) and (4) of the Rules of Professional Conduct 2023 by bringing the entire judiciary in Nigeria into disrepute with his unfounded allegations of corruption against eminent justices of the supreme court of Nigeria, judges of high court of Lagos state, Aare Afe Babalola san, Olu Deramola, SAN, Ola Faro esq, and the entire chambers of Afe Babalola & co in his book titled ‘Nigeria and its criminal justice system.”
Faro, who stated that he was writing both in his personal capacity and “on behalf of the law firm of Afe Babalola & Co.,” described the case’s background and the alleged violations of the Rules of Professional Conduct by Farotimi.
According to the petition, Farotimi was accused of participating in unprofessional behaviour by making false claims about the Supreme Court and the legal profession.
The petitioners further claimed that Farotimi engaged in illegal activity, namely paying judicial personnel and acquiring 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. Knowingly engaged in illegal conduct in the course of his practice as a legal practitioner. 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.
“Failed to observe good faith and fairness in dealing with other lawyers in respect to a case already decided by the Supreme Court. Conducted himself in a manner that obstructed, delayed, and adversely affected the administration of justice by taking steps to frustrate a decision of the Supreme Court for his personal benefit and the benefit of his client, who lost at the Supreme Court.
“Treated the court, particularly the Supreme Court, without respect, dignity, and honour by using uncouth, unprofessional, undignified, and offensive language against the Supreme Court and the justices of the Supreme Court. Made defamatory statements against judicial officers rather than making a complaint to appropriate authorities.
He added, “Indicated that he discussed a pending case with a judge trying the case in the absence of an opposing lawyer. The contravention of these rules by the Respondent (Farotimi) prompted this petition to protect the dignity of the legal profession and the dignity of the court as the temple of justice and to uphold the standards of the legal profession.”
They also remarked that certain of the assertions in Farotimi’s book have the potential to incite the legal profession and society.
They claimed that these statements 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 expose them to ridicule within the legal community, thereby harming their hard-earned reputation and financial standing.
This happened after a Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja and an Oyo State High Court prohibited Farotimi from further publishing, selling, circulating, advertising, or distributing hard or soft copies of his book, ‘Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System.’.
Farotimi was arrested and brought before the Federal High Court in Ekiti State, as well as an Ekiti State Magistrates’ Court in Ado-Ekiti, over the controversial book.
The allegations are for defamation and cyberbullying, according to a petition filed by Babalola, who claimed that Farotimi defamed him in his book.
According to investigators, Farotimi’s book accuses Babalola and other SANs of influencing Supreme Court justices.
Following his arraignment, Farotimi was remanded to prison.
