The Presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, on Monday evening visited the founder of Afe Babalola University Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), Aare Afe Babalola, SAN, in his office located at the campus of the institution.
Sources close to the legal luminary revealed that Obi’s visit might not be unconnected with the ongoing alleged defamation case instituted by Babalola against the Lagos-based human rights lawyer and activist, Dele Farotimi, a human rights and good governance advocate and a prominent member of the Obidient Movement.
Also, a source confirmed that the visit was arranged by former President Olusegun Obasanjo towards finding amicable resolution to the legal issue.
A source said: “Today (Monday), Mr. Peter Obi 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 activist and lawyer Dele Farotimi.
“Following this, Mr. Peter Obiproceeded to the prison facility where Dele Farotimi is being held. In a private meeting, he expressed solidarity and engaged in a candid exchange aimed at addressing the prevailing challenges.”
Efforts made to speak with Obi after the one-hour meeting proved abortive as he ignored journalists, quietly entered his car, and left the premises.
Farotimi was last week arraigned before a magistrate court in Ado-Ekiti over the petition written against him by legal icon Aare Afe Babalola, SAN, over alleged defamation in his book titled ‘Nigeria and Its Criminal Judicial System.’
The IGP, however, filed a fresh suit on Monday marked FHC/AD/CR/104/2024 against Farotimi before the Federal High Court over a 12-count charge bordering on cybercrime.
Even though the Federal High Court granted Farotimi bail of N50 million in like sum as surety, his team was still working on perfecting the bail conditions as of the time of filing the report.
