13th December 2024
By Idris Buba
In a petition alleging that Farotimi violated certain provisions of the rules of professional conduct for lawyers, Afe Babalola Law Firm has written to the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee seeking the removal of Dele Farotimi as a lawyer from the roll of Nigerian legal practitioners.
Signed by a partner at the firm, Ola Faro, the 90-page petition, was dated December 6, 2024
According to Channels reports, Faro was also referenced in the book, “Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System.”, by Dele Farotimi.
Titled “Petition against Tomilola Titus Farotimi (also known as Dele Farotimi esq), a Nigerian lawyer called to the Nigerian bar with his name on the roll of legal practitioners kept by the Supreme Court for violation of 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.”
Writing in his personal capacity and “on behalf of the law firm of Afe Babalola & Co.”, Faro, outlined the background of the case and detailed the alleged violations of the Rules of Professional Conduct by Farotimi.
The petitioner, accused Farotimi of engaging in conduct that was unbecoming of a legal practitioner by making false accusations against the Supreme Court and the legal profession and that Farotimi participated in unlawful conduct, specifically by bribing judicial officers and gaining unlawful access to a judicial officer.
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“He 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.
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“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.
