Chief Afe Babalola (SAN) on Sunday succumbed to pressure from top traditional rulers in Yorubaland led by the Ooni of Ife, Kabiyesi Enitan Ogunwusi, and declared that he had forgiven Dele Farotimi for the unsavoury comments about him in a book.

The Ooni of Ife had led a delegation of about six other traditional rulers to meet Chief Afe Babalola in Ado-Ekiti, pleading with him to settle with his traducer, who had painted the lawyer as a corrupt professional who bribed judges to win cases in court.

“For someone to allege that I have won my cases through corruption, it’s an attempt to defame me. That was why I rejected all the appeals made to me earlier. But when I heard that Ooni was coming, I knew I was in a fix today.

“There is nothing I’m going to gain from his (Dele’s) imprisonment, and there’s nothing I want from the so-called damages. I am not seeking more wealth; I’m rather concerned about managing the one I already have. Dele Farotimi is hereby forgiven. On this occasion, I say ‘yes.’.” Afe Babalola told the traditional rulers.

The delegation said, “We, the Obas, can attest to the hard work of Aare Afe Babalola and how he has invested tirelessly to build his name. No one can tarnish or rubbish the name. Aare Afe Babalola has proven to the world that he cherishes his name, and the world has heard him.

“Baba, we want to appeal and also use our race to instruct you. Dele Farotimi is your son; you may not know him. We give birth to different children in this world; some are tough, some are soft, and some are hard. Why we are here is our ethos as a race.”

The Ooni added, “We are using our race because some of our elders in Yorubaland and even beyond Yorubaland have spoken, but combining forces with the traditional institution, we have heard you: enough, enough, and enough. Your name is intact. We have resolved the matter in our way; we have done the needful.”

Taking the traditional rulers through his professional pedigree, Chief Babalola said, “I was a lawyer who defended the EFCC law. Indeed, my corruption manifested itself when I received an oil block. When I looked at the money and saw that it was too much, I rejected it. Yes, I’m corrupt. I turned down two offers of ministerial appointments. Yes, I’m corrupt because whatever I am, I don’t want anybody to say I made it through corruption.

“Look at my books. I’m Chairman of Transparency International, based in Germany. I have given lectures against corruption and presented my papers in many universities globally”.

Chief Babalola, (SAN), had sued Mr Farotimi in an Ado Ekiti Magistrates’ Court following Farotimi’s publication of a book that allegedly defamed him.

The Ooni arrived at ABUAD at about 10:30 pm, accompanied by other top Yoruba traditional rulers, including the Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, Ogoga of Ikere-Ekiti, Oloye of Oye-Ekiti, Ajero of Ijero-Ekiti, and Olojudo of Ido-Ekiti, among others.

Speaking at the meeting, Mr Babalola said he had received several letters as well as calls on the issue from eminent Nigerians asking him to withdraw the suit. Those who have made entreaties to him included former President Olusegun Obasanjo and Bishop Hassan Kukah

The Senior Advocate of Nigeria said he had no choice but to succumb to the latest pleas by the visiting traditional rulers.