Dele Farotimi: Temper justice with mercy, OPC begs Afe Babalola

The Oodua People’s Congress (OPC) on Friday, appealed to elder statesman, Aare Afe Babalola, to handle the alleged defamation of character and cyberbullying against rights activist, Dele Farotimi, with mercy and understanding in resolving the issue at hand.

OPC made the plea in a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Barrister Yinka Oguntimehin, saying that the controversy generated by the recent arrest and detention of the rights activist, who it described as son to Aare Babalola, had become a matter of concern for well-meaning Nigerians.

The OPC, while pleading for Farotimi, restated the need for justice, even as it raised concern over the unlawful detention of the activist.

“We are concerned that two illustrious sons of Yoruba race – a father and elder statesman, Chief Afe Babalola, and his ‘son’, who is also a lawyer and rights activist, Dele Farotimi have been engaged in legal battle.

“As an organization that is poised to seek justice and fairness, we are concerned that the issue has been generating various reactions from people from all walks of life.

“We are concerned with the manner of arrest and detention that the ordinary defamation is not a criminal offence that warrants such manner of arrest and detention.

“We therefore, appeal to Chief Babalola to show mercy and understanding in resolving this issue,” OPC stated.

The socio-cultural group said Aare Babalola remained the beacon of hope for Nigerians. He is a legal Icon and foremost advocate of justice in Nigeria who had impacted his generation in all areas as one of the leading legal luminaries, saying that nobody can destroy the name or tarnish the image of such a globally revered personality.

“Chief Afe Babalola has remained the beacon of hope for Nigerians. He is a legal Icon and foremost advocate of justice in Nigeria.

“He has impacted his generation in all areas and has been one of the leading legal luminaries that have ever been produced in Nigeria. Chief Babalola had invested so much in the legal profession and also in the education sector.

“He had produced more than 300 lawyers and a good number of SANs in a profession that lasted more than six decades.

“So, such an icon is undoubtedly one of the most respected legal icons and elder statesmen in the country.

“With all his records of service to humanity both in Nigeria and even beyond, we believe that nobody can destroy the name or tarnish the image of such a globally revered personality.

“That is why the OPC is appealing to Chief Afe Babalola to handle the case of rights activist Dele Farotimi with wisdom and understanding as that is the best way to resolve the lingering issues,” Oguntimehin said.

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