Adebayo Adenipekun, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), has filed a lawsuit against human rights lawyer Dele Farotimi at the Oyo State High Court in Ibadan.
The court summons, dated December 9, 2024, demands Farotimi’s appearance within 30 days of being served.
Adenipekun is the claimant in the suit, while Farotimi and his publishing firm, Dele Farotimi Publishers, are listed as defendants.
The court’s writ reads, “You are hereby commanded that within 30 (thirty) days of the service of this writ on you… you do cause an appearance to be entered for you in an action at the suit of Adebayo Adenipekun, SAN, FCIArb.”
The summons further states that if Farotimi does not respond within the given timeframe, judgment may proceed in his absence.
This lawsuit comes amid Farotimi’s ongoing legal challenges with another senior lawyer, Afe Babalola (SAN). Earlier another senior advocate,
Farotimi’s legal troubles have drawn widespread attention, with multiple cases piling up against him in various courts.
While grappling with Adenipekun’s lawsuit, Farotimi remains entangled in a high-profile defamation case filed by Afe Babalola.
The defamation trial is being heard at the Ado-Ekiti Magistrate Court in Ekiti State.
On Tuesday, December 10, 2024, Farotimi pleaded not guilty to 14 amended charges against him.
Initially, the prosecution leveled 16 charges but reduced them to 14 before the court session.
The human rights lawyer appeared in court without handcuffs, a move likely aimed at pacifying public outcry over his treatment in custody.
Despite the gestures, the court denied his bail application, adjourning the ruling to December 20, 2024.
This delay prolongs Farotimi’s time in detention, fuelling public outrage and cries for justice.
Farotimi has fiercely contested the defamation charges, labeling them as baseless.
Through his lead counsel, Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika (SAN), Farotimi submitted a preliminary objection to the court on December 9, 2024.
His objection argues that the charges are “legally invalid” and beyond the court’s jurisdiction.
According to his legal team, the charges stem from the Criminal Code Act, which requires proper domestication under Ekiti State law.
One of Farotimi’s lawyers stated, “The magistrate is acting beyond jurisdiction by considering incompetent charges that fail to meet constitutional requirements.”
Farotimi’s defense draws heavily on constitutional provisions and Ekiti State’s legal framework.
Observers see the lawsuits against Farotimi as a test of Nigeria’s justice system.
Some human rights activists allege that the legal actions are part of a broader campaign to silence dissenting voices.
One supporter commented, “This is not just about defamation. It’s about punishing a lawyer for speaking truth to power.”
Farotimi himself has described the lawsuits as harassment aimed at discrediting him.
The legal battles highlight growing tensions within Nigeria’s legal and human rights community.
Adenipekun, known for his towering reputation, has remained silent about his reasons for suing Farotimi.
Meanwhile, Afe Babalola, another legal heavyweight, insists his defamation claims are legitimate and unrelated to any vendetta.As these high-stakes cases unfold, they expose the complexities of navigating Nigeria’s justice system.
Public interest in the cases is intensifying, with many Nigerians questioning the motivations behind the lawsuits.
Civil society groups have called for a fair trial, urging the courts to avoid being swayed by powerful interests.
A lawyer following the case remarked, “These trials are more than legal battles; they are litmus tests for judicial integrity in Nigeria.”
Farotimi now faces a 30-day deadline to respond to Adenipekun’s lawsuit.
Failure to act could result in a judgment being entered against him.
Meanwhile, his fight against Afe Babalola continues to attract scrutiny, with another court session looming on December 20, 2024.
Nigerians are keenly watching these developments, awaiting justice for one of the country’s most outspoken legal advocates.
The outcome of these cases could shape not only Farotimi’s career but also the broader fight for freedom of expression in Nigeria.
