The legal community in Nigeria has been thrust into the spotlight as Chief Afe Babalola, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and founder of Afe Babalola & Co., takes a bold step against human rights lawyer Dele Farotimi.
In a dramatic turn, Babalola has filed a 90-page petition with the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC), seeking Farotimi’s disbarment.
The petition, dated December 6, 2024, accuses Farotimi of making statements and publishing a book that Babalola alleges defames the judiciary and casts aspersions on the Supreme Court’s integrity.
These actions, according to Babalola, breach professional ethics and undermine public confidence in Nigeria’s legal system. He contends that Farotimi’s remarks constitute conduct unbecoming of a legal practitioner, demanding the removal of his name from the roll of practicing lawyers.
Known for his critical stance on the judiciary and government, Farotimi has yet to issue a public statement.
The unfolding case has sparked intense debates over the balance between free speech and professional accountability, drawing widespread attention from legal experts, activists, and the public alike.
