Human rights lawyer and activist, Dele Farotimi, has announced his intention to petition the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC) to revoke the licenses of lawyers he accuses of orchestrating his arrest and defamation.
Farotimi also vowed to seek legal remedies against all individuals and entities involved in what he describes as his “abduction.”
Background of the Case
The controversy began when Emmanuel Chambers, a law firm led by Chief Afe Babalola, SAN, filed a petition to the LPDC accusing Farotimi of criminal defamation and professional misconduct.
The allegations stemmed from Farotimi’s book, Nigeria and the Criminal Justice System, where he criticized the judiciary and legal profession, referencing case SC/146/2006 between Major Muritala Gbadamosi Eletu and HRH Oba Tijani Akinloye. In the book, Farotimi alleged corruption, bribery, and unethical practices within the judiciary.
The petition, filed by Emmanuel Chambers’ lawyer, Mr. Ola Faro, accused Farotimi of distorting case facts, disrespecting fellow lawyers, and portraying subsequent legal proceedings as undermining a Supreme Court judgment impacting residential estates.
The firm argued that the book violated the 2023 Rules of Professional Conduct for Legal Practitioners and called for Farotimi’s disbarment.
LPDC Ruling
In its report (B8B/LPDC/1571/2024), the LPDC dismissed the petition, stating that the allegations pertained to Farotimi’s role as an author, not his practice as a lawyer. The committee ruled that it lacked jurisdiction over publications and advised Emmanuel Chambers to pursue the matter in court.
Farotimi’s Response
In a video uploaded to his YouTube channel, Farotimi addressed his supporters for the first time since his release on bail. He declared his determination to fight back against what he described as a coordinated attack on his person and professional integrity.
“I will be seeking legal reliefs and redresses against everyone involved in my abduction. I shall defend each and every one of the many suits—civil and criminal—filed against me rigorously,” Farotimi stated.
Farotimi vowed to hold accountable all lawyers involved in the legal actions against him, expressing his commitment to filing petitions aimed at permanently revoking their licenses.
Moving Forward
Farotimi framed his ordeal as a turning point in his activism. “I remain your brother, I remain Dele Farotimi Esq. SAN—Senior Accused of Nigeria, victim of Nigeria—but a conscious victim capable of articulating the conditions of the victim. I am not a victim again; I am a threat,” he declared.
Farotimi’s resolve to confront the legal battles head-on signals a broader fight against perceived injustice within Nigeria’s legal and judicial systems. As his case unfolds, it will likely serve as a litmus test for accountability and professionalism in the Nigerian legal community.