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Victory for Dele Farotimi as LPDC Dismisses Afe Babalola’s Request to Revoke His License

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LPDC Dismisses Afe Babalola’s Request to Revoke Farotimi’s License.

 

 

 

The Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC) has declined a petition from Emmanuel Chambers, the law firm of Chief Afe Babalola SAN, seeking to debar lawyer and author, Dele Farotimi (also known as Tomilola Farotimi), over allegations of criminal defamation and professional misconduct.

The Petition

The complaint, filed by Ola Faro, a lawyer from Emmanuel Chambers, accused Farotimi of making defamatory statements against the Supreme Court and the legal profession in his book “Nigeria and Criminal Justice System.” The petition alleged that Farotimi’s remarks distorted legal case facts and disrespected legal professionals, constituting a breach of the Rules of Professional Conduct for Legal Practitioners 2023.

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Key allegations included:

  • Claims of corruption and bribery involving judicial officers and lawyers.
  • Criticisms related to a Supreme Court judgment (case SC/146/2006) that impacted residential estates.
  • Actions purportedly obstructing justice for personal benefit.

The petition demanded the removal of Farotimi’s name from the Roll of Legal Practitioners.

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LPDC’s Verdict

In its report, the LPDC ruled that the alleged infractions were related to Farotimi’s role as an author, not his professional conduct as a legal practitioner. The committee stated that it lacked jurisdiction to handle complaints arising from published works.

Justice Isaq Usman Bello, LPDC Chairman, emphasized that the appropriate venue for such grievances was the regular courts. “The publication is an intellectual property and not an act committed in the capacity of a practicing lawyer,” the report stated.

Implications

The LPDC’s decision underscores the limitations of its authority, particularly concerning actions unrelated to legal practice. It also highlights the distinction between professional misconduct and personal intellectual expressions.

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Aggrieved parties, the LPDC advised, should pursue defamation claims through standard judicial processes.

 

Farotimi’s book remains the focal point of contention, with further proceedings expected in conventional courts.

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