The Founder of Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti, Aare Afe Babalola SAN, in the early hours of Monday, agreed to withdraw the cases instituted against activist and lawyer, Dele Farotimi.

Babalola had accused Farotimi of defaming him in the book Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System, prompting a petition to the Commissioner of Police in Ekiti State. The activist was arrested and subsequently arraigned in two courts—the Magistrate Court in Ado Ekiti for alleged criminal defamation and the Federal High Court in Ado Ekiti for alleged cyber-bullying.

The Ooni of Ife, who spoke on behalf of the monarchs, had urged Babalola to drop the charges, assuring him of the inviolability of his name. “Nobody can tarnish your name,” Oba Ogunwusi said. “Your name is more than silver and gold, and you have stood for it with the message that nobody can joke with your name.”

Ogunwusi praised Babalola’s contributions to Yoruba, Nigerian, and global development, saying, *“We (monarchs) came here to discuss the matter with him, and he gave full respect to the obas and agreed.

“We, the obas, can attest to the hard work of Aare Afe Babalola and how he has worked tirelessly to build his name. That name cannot be tarnished or rubbished by anyone. Aare Afe Babalola has proven to the world that he cherishes his name, and the world has heard him clearly.”*

Also in attendance were the Chairman, Ekiti State Council of Traditional Rulers and the Olojudo of Ido Ekiti, Oba Ayorinde Ilori-Faboro; the Ewi of Ado Ekiti, Oba Adeyemo Adejugbe; the Ajero of Ijero Ekiti, Oba Joseph Adewole: the Ogoga of Ikere Ekiti, Oba Adejimi Adu; the Oloye of Oye Ekiti, Oba Michael Ademolaju; and the Alaaye of Efon Ekiti, Oba Emmanuel Aladejare.