I’ll only let Dele Farotimi go when he proves allegations -Afe Babalola

Legal luminary, Aare Afe Babalola, SAN, has insisted that the only condition for the release of human rights lawyer, Dele Farotimi is for him to prove his alleged defamatory comments in his recently published book,  ‘Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System’.

Babalola’s legal team made this known on Friday during a press briefing in Ado Ekiti, the capital of Ekiti State.

said Farotimi will be free when he proves the defamatory allegations against the SAN.

His lawyers, Owoseni Ajayi, Olakanmi Falade and Lawrence Fasanmi, disclosed this .

The lawyers said Babalola’s petition to the police is for them to investigate the defamatory allegations Farotimi made in the book, adding that the reason for the press conference was to correct the various misleading publications about the ongoing matter between the Police and Farotimi.

They further clarified that charging Farotimi to court by the police was for the law to take its due cause on the matter.“All facts are verifiable. I urge Nigerians to verify and find out what the truth is first before picking a side,” Ajayi said.

“Is it wrong for Aare Afe Babalola to seek justice for these false utterances against him? Should justice only be available to Mr Dele Farotimi because Aare Afe Babalola is a global icon?

“Once Mr Dele Farotimi can show proof that his assertions in the book are true, then he will be free.

“The law allows free speech, but not one that is calculated to injure the good reputation of another.”