The 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, on Monday evening visited renowned legal icon and founder of Afe Babalola University, Chief Afe Babalola, at his office in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State.
Obi was warmly received by Babalola’s top aide before proceeding to a closed-door meeting with the legal luminary. According to sources, the visit was connected to the ongoing legal case against human rights lawyer and activist Dele Farotimi.
Reliable information suggests that the visit was facilitated by former President Olusegun Obasanjo as part of efforts to find an amicable resolution to the issue. Following his meeting with Babalola, Obi reportedly visited Farotimi at the Ado-Ekiti Correctional Centre, where he held a session with him.
The human rights lawyer was arraigned last week before an Ado-Ekiti Magistrate Court over alleged defamation of character in his book, Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System, where he accused Babalola of compromising the Supreme Court.
In addition to the defamation case, Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun has filed a fresh suit against Farotimi at the Ado-Ekiti Federal High Court, alleging cybercrime.
Though the court granted Farotimi bail of N50 million with a surety possessing landed property in Ekiti, his legal team was still working to fulfill the conditions as of the time of this report.
Obi declined to speak to journalists after the one-hour meeting with Babalola, leaving the premises quietly. Farotimi’s trial is set to resume tomorrow at the Magistrate Court.
