A former Minister of Sports, Solomon Dalung says a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and elder statesman, Chief Afe Babalola may not win his defamation case against activist lawyer, Dele Farotimi.
Recall that Afe Babalola had alleged that the content of the 104-page book, ‘Nigeria and its Criminal Justice’ authored by Farotimi defamed him.
The elder statesman petitioned the Ekiti State Police Command, leading to the arrest of Farotimi in Lagos State.
The petitioner is of the view that the book which recently went viral can be read anywhere in the world, including Ekiti State where he resides, therefore, damaging his reputation.
Farotimi, a popular Nigerian activist was subsequently arraigned before a Magistrate Court in Ado Ekiti.
Speaking on the matter when he appeared on the Mic On Podcast on Sunday, the former Minister said Afe Babalola should have ignored the case.
According to him, “Afe Babalols should have not taken this route. He has exposed his legacies to public attacks and I don’t see him surviving it.
“Dele Farotimi is a reputable human rights activist. His profile is highly revered by most Nigerians so they will never understand his claim of defamation.
“If I were to advise him, I would have asked him to just call Dele and say, “look, my son, this is not the way to go, you will also get to where I am today”.
“You see, he has condescended and it is now him and his family versus Nigerians. I don’t see him ending as a victor”.
I don’t see Afe Babalola surviving defamation case against Farotimi – Ex-Minister Dalung