Afe Babalola’s law firm asks LPDC to disbar Dele Farotimi

Afe Babalola’s law firm has asked the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC) to disbar Dele Farotimi, a human rights advocate, for alleged unethical conduct. 

The firm wrote a 90-page petition dated December 6, 2024 and signed by Ola Faro, a partner in the firm.

LPDC is a committee established by the Legal Practitioners Act and charged with upholding ethical standards in the legal profession.

Faro told the LPDC that he wrote the petition in his personal capacity “and for and on behalf of the law firm of Afe Babalola & Co”.

The lawyer was also mentioned in Farotimi’s book titled: ‘Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System’.

Babalola, a senior advocate of Nigeria, and some lawyers in his firm, had alleged that Farotimi “criminally” defamed them in his book.

In the petition, the firm accused Farotimi of engaging in “conduct which is unbecoming of a legal practitioner by making false accusations against the Supreme Court and the legal profession”.

The chamber said Farotimi’s book discredited the Nigerian judiciary and judges.

The petitioner said the book also dented the hard-earned reputation and financial credit of the firm.

“The respondent participated in conduct that he believes to be unlawful by bribing judicial officers and having unlawful access to a judicial officer,” the petition reads.

“Joined his clients in committing misconduct and breach of law with reference to judicial officers by having unlawful access to a judicial officer.

“Gave service to his client which he knows is capable of causing a breach of law and disrespect and corrupting a judicial officer.

“Knowingly made false statements of law and facts in respect to a case already decided by the Supreme Court.

“Assisted his clients in a conduct that he knows to be illegal and fraudulent. Knowingly engaged in illegal conduct in the cause of his practice as a legal practitioner.

“Treated his fellow lawyers without respect, fairness, consideration and dignity, allowing ill-feeling 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 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.

“Indicated that he discussed a pending case with a judge trying the case in the absence of an opposing lawyer.”

On December 3, Farotimi was arrested in Lagos by officers attached to the Ekiti police command, over alleged defamation and cyberbullying.

The accused is currently facing trial in two courts on charges bordering on alleged defamation of Babalola.

On Monday, a federal high court in Ekiti granted Farotimi N50 million bail with one surety, following a 12-count charge bordering on cybercrime filed by the inspector-general of police.

However, a magistrate court in Ekiti on Tuesday reserved ruling in Farotimi’s bail application to December 20.

The activist is currently being remanded in an Ekiti prison.