Babatunde Ogala, SAN, has condemned suggestions linking Chief Afe Babalola, SAN, to political manipulation in the ongoing defamation case against Dele Farotimi because he (Farotimi) was anti-Tinubu during the 2023 General Elections.
Speaking during an Arise News interview from 19:41, Ogala described such claims as “most ridiculous and insulting” to the 95-year-old legal icon, who he hailed as a “revered icon, a legend, and a prominent Nigerian educationist and lawyer.”
Ogala highlighted Babalola’s 63 years of distinguished legal practice, during which he has mentored judges and Senior Advocates of Nigeria, rising to the highest ranks of the profession. He dismissed allegations of political motivations behind the case, noting that Babalola had publicly supported Peter Obi during the 2023 elections, the same candidate Farotimi campaigned for.
For those making defamatory statements about Babalola, Ogala issued a stern warning: “I hope somebody would caution them to be conscious of the fact that they too may be liable for defamation.” He reiterated the absurdity of the claims, stating, “Afe Babalola at 95 being used to achieve what? It’s ridiculous for those who say such.”
What he said
“That’s the most ridiculous and insulting Chief Afe Babalola, a revered icon, a legend, a prominent Nigerian educationist and Lawyer who has put in 63 years of legal practice and risen to the very highest peak of the profession as mentor, judges, Senior Advocate.”
“For those who say that, I hope that somebody would also caution them to be conscious of the fact that they too may be liable for defamation for saying such.”
“Afe Babalola at 95 being used to by what to achieve what and going political, Dele Farotimi was a member of Peter Obi’s campaign committee, Chief Afe Babalola also publicly and openly supported Peter Obi. It’s Ridiculous for those who say such.”