Farotimi to pursue disbarment over arrest, defamation allegations

Farotimi to pursue disbarment over arrest, defamation allegations

Human rights lawyer Dele Farotimi has announced plans to petition the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC) in a bid to seek the permanent disbarment of lawyers he accused of playing roles in his recent arrest and defamation case.

This follows the LPDC’s recent dismissal of a petition from Afe Babalola’s law firm, Emmanuel Chambers, which had sought to revoke Farotimi’s legal licence. The firm alleged that Farotimi engaged in criminal defamation and professional misconduct.

The allegations stemmed from statements in Farotimi’s book, Nigeria and Criminal Justice System, which accused members of the judiciary and legal community of corruption, bribery, and unethical practices. Specifically, the book referenced a Supreme Court case (SC/146/2006) between Major Muritala Gbadamosi Eletu and HRH Oba Tijani Akinloye.

Emmanuel Chambers claimed Farotimi distorted case details, disrespected his colleagues, and obstructed justice for personal gain. They argued that his criticism of a Supreme Court judgment affecting residential estates and subsequent legal proceedings violated the Rules of Professional Conduct for Legal Practitioners 2023, calling for his name to be struck off the Roll of Legal Practitioners.

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However, the LPDC dismissed the petition, stating that the alleged actions occurred in Farotimi’s capacity as an author, not during his professional legal practice. Consequently, the committee ruled that it lacked jurisdiction over the matter and suggested the complainants seek redress in court.

In a video shared on his YouTube channel on Sunday—Farotimi stated he would pursue legal action against those he claims orchestrated his “abduction.”

He vowed to defend himself vigorously against the various criminal and civil suits filed against him.

“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,” Farotimi said.

He also revealed plans to petition the LPDC to ensure that certain lawyers involved in his ordeal are permanently barred from practising law in Nigeria.

“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,” he declared.

Farotimi reiterated his commitment to confronting the legal challenges head-on while seeking justice against those he accuses of acting against him.

Farotimi to pursue disbarment over arrest, defamation allegations