Human rights lawyer and activist, Dele Farotimi, has announced plans to petition the Nigerian Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC), calling for the permanent revocation of the licences of the lawyers involved in his controversial arrest and ongoing defamation case. Farotimi, who has become one of the most vocal critics of the Nigerian legal system, expressed his determination to not only defend himself but to take aggressive legal action against those he believes have wronged him.
In a powerful video posted on his YouTube channel following his release on bail after being incarcerated in connection with defamation charges, Farotimi vowed to pursue legal redress against everyone involved in his alleged ‘abduction.’
Allegations and Background
The controversy surrounding Farotimi’s legal battles stems from a petition filed by Chief Afe Babalola’s law firm, Emmanuel Chambers. The firm, through its lawyer Mr. Ola Faro, had accused Farotimi of criminal defamation and professional misconduct in connection with his book, Nigeria and the Criminal Justice System. The book critically examines the Nigerian legal and judicial processes, referencing a particular Supreme Court case, SC/146/2006, which involved Major Muritala Gbadamosi Eletu and HRH Oba Tijani Akinloye.
In the book, Farotimi alleged corruption, bribery, and unethical conduct within the Nigerian judiciary and legal profession, specifically criticizing the handling of the aforementioned case. The firm argued that Farotimi’s portrayal of the case distorted facts and undermined the integrity of the judiciary, accusing him of obstructing justice for personal gain.
Furthermore, Emmanuel Chambers claimed that Farotimi’s critical remarks about a Supreme Court judgment involving residential estates violated the Rules of Professional Conduct for Legal Practitioners 2023, which led them to request that Farotimi be struck from the Roll of Legal Practitioners.
However, in a surprising turn of events, the LPDC rejected the law firm’s petition, ruling that the allegations against Farotimi stemmed from his role as an author, not as a legal practitioner. The LPDC, in its report (B8B/LPDC/1571/2024), concluded that it had no jurisdiction over matters related to publications and advised the complainants to seek redress through regular courts.
Farotimi’s Response
In his YouTube statement, Farotimi expressed his readiness to vigorously fight all the criminal and civil cases filed against him in various courts across Nigeria. He stressed that the time for him to remain silent had passed, declaring, “I am no longer a victim of the Nigerian system, but now a threat.”
Farotimi, known for his fearless stance on social justice issues, made it clear that he would not let his critics off easily. “I will be seeking legal reliefs and redresses against everyone involved in my abduction. I shall be defending each and every one of the many suits—civil and criminal—that have been filed against me rigorously.”
In an unexpected twist, Farotimi revealed that he would be taking matters into his own hands. “When we are done, I shall by myself be writing petitions to the LPDC, looking to ensure that some lawyers do not ever practise law in this country again,” he said. His statements reflect a deep sense of frustration and a determination to confront what he perceives as a corrupt system that targets individuals who challenge it.
A Threat to the Legal Establishment?
Farotimi’s words were not just a call for legal redress, but a declaration of war against what he considers a flawed and unjust legal system. His reference to himself as a “threat” rather than a victim underscores his transformation from a target of state oppression to an empowered force seeking to right what he sees as legal wrongs.
“I remain your brother, I remain Dele Farotimi Esq. SAN – Senior Accused of Nigeria, victim of Nigeria, but a conscious victim capable of articulating the conditions of the victim. I am not a victim again; I am a threat,” Farotimi added.
This rhetoric is in line with Farotimi’s long-standing position on fighting for justice, particularly in cases where human rights are violated. As a prominent human rights activist and lawyer, his stance on the defamation charges against him is seen as emblematic of his larger fight against systemic corruption, whether within the legal system or other spheres of Nigerian governance.
Legal and Political Implications
Farotimi’s plans to petition the LPDC come at a time when tensions between legal professionals, human rights advocates, and the Nigerian political establishment have reached new heights. His case has highlighted the growing divide between those who view the judiciary and the legal profession as pillars of justice, and those who see them as part of the larger system of oppression that undermines true justice in Nigeria.
Legal experts have pointed out that Farotimi’s decision to seek the permanent revocation of the licences of those involved in his case is not only unprecedented but also raises important questions about the role of lawyers in perpetuating or challenging injustice. Critics of the legal establishment in Nigeria have long argued that many lawyers are complicit in maintaining a system that favors the powerful over the oppressed, a sentiment that Farotimi’s public statements seem to echo.
