More trouble seems to be brewing for lawyer and human rights activist, Dele Farotimi, following a petition to the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee seeking his disbarment.
The Law Firm of Afe Babalola which filed the petition accused Farotimi of violating certain provisions of the rules of professional conduct for lawyers.
He is specifically accused of violating “the extant Rules of Professional Conduct for Legal Practitioners Rules 1, 15(1), 15(2b), 15(3a), 15(3g), 15(3i), 15(3j), 26(1), 27(1), 30, 31(1), (2) and (4) of the Rules of Professional Conduct 2023 by bringing the entire judiciary in Nigeria into disrepute with his unfounded allegations of corruption against eminent justices of the supreme court of Nigeria, judges of high court of Lagos state, Aare Afe Babalola san, Olu Deramola, SAN, Ola Faro esq, and the entire chambers of Afe Babalola & co in his book titled ‘Nigeria and its criminal justice system.”
Farotimi is currently standing trial in Ado Ekiti for alleged criminal defamation
He was granted bail on Monday in the sum of N50 million and his case adjourned till 29 January 2025.
Farotimi,according to Ola Faro, a partner in the Afe Babalola Law firm, engaged in conduct that was unbecoming of a legal practitioner by making false accusations against the Supreme Court and the legal profession in his book Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System.
The Farotimi allegations,the petitioners,added were aimed at discrediting the Nigerian judiciary, including Justices of the Supreme Court, judges of the High Court of Lagos State and their law firm, and to subject them to ridicule within the legal community, thereby damaging their hard-earned reputation and financial standing.
Faro said: “He (Farotimi) joined his clients in committing misconduct and breach of law with reference to judicial officers by having unlawful access to a judicial officer. He gave service to his client which he knows is capable of causing a breach of law and disrespect and corrupting a judicial officer. He knowingly made a false statement of law and facts with respect to a case already decided by the Supreme Court.
“He assisted his clients in a conduct that he knows to be illegal and fraudulent. Knowingly engaged in illegal conduct in the cause of his practice as a legal practitioner. Treated his fellow lawyers without respect, fairness, consideration and dignity, allowing ill feelings between opposing clients to influence his conduct and demeanour by distorting the facts of a case in the cause of his practice as a legal practitioner.
“Failed to observe good faith and fairness in dealing with other lawyers in respect to a case already decided by the Supreme Court. Conducted himself in a manner that obstructed, delayed and adversely affected the administration of justice by taking steps to frustrate a decision of the Supreme Court for his personal benefit and the benefit of his client who lost at the Supreme Court.
“Treated the court, particularly the Supreme Court without respect, dignity and honour by using uncouth, unprofessional, undignified and offensive language against the Supreme Court and the justices of the Supreme Court. Made defamatory statements against judicial officers rather than making a complaint to appropriate authorities.
“Indicated that he discussed a pending case with a judge trying the case in the absence of an opposing lawyer. The contravention of these rules by the Respondent (Farotimi) prompted this petition to protect the dignity of the legal profession, the dignity of the court as the temple of justice and to uphold the standards of the legal profession.”
A Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja and the Oyo State High Court have already barred Farotimi from further publishing, selling, circulating, advertising, or distributing the hard or soft copies of the book.
