Renowned legal luminary, Aare Afe Babalola, SAN, has filed a formal petition with the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC) seeking to have Dele Farotimi, a Lagos-based lawyer, disbarred from practicing law in Nigeria.
The petition, signed by Ola Faro of Afe Babalola & Co., accuses Farotimi of violating multiple rules of professional conduct for legal practitioners. It cites defamatory statements made in his book, Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System, alleging corruption and misconduct within the judiciary, including accusations against Afe Babalola, SAN, and his law firm.
The 90-page petition outlines claims that Farotimi:
Made unfounded allegations against the Supreme Court and legal professionals.
• Participated in and facilitated unethical and unlawful conduct with clients.
• Defamed judicial officers rather than filing complaints through appropriate channels.
• Used disrespectful language against the judiciary, causing potential harm to its reputation.
The petition asserts that Farotimi’s statements could undermine public confidence in the judiciary and tarnish the legal profession’s integrity.
This development follows an earlier court order barring Farotimi from publishing, selling, or distributing his controversial book. Additionally, his bail hearing on a related case has been postponed, and he remains in custody until December 20, 2024.
The LPDC, responsible for enforcing ethical standards among Nigerian lawyers, will investigate the matter and determine whether disciplinary actions, including disbarment, are warranted.
Farotimi has previously alleged threats to his life, accusing influential figures of colluding with security agencies to silence him.
