The law firm of Afe Babalola & Co. has filed a petition with the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC) to remove Dele Farotimi, a lawyer and human rights activist, from the roll of Nigerian legal practitioners.
The petition accuses Farotimi of breaching multiple provisions of the Rules of Professional Conduct for lawyers.
The 90-page petition, dated December 6, 2024, was signed by Ola Faro, a partner at Afe Babalola & Co., and referenced allegations made in Farotimi’s book, Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System.
The petition outlined alleged misconduct, including defamation of judicial officers, making unfounded accusations of corruption, and undermining the integrity of the Nigerian judiciary and legal profession.
The petition accuses Farotimi of bribery, unlawful access to judicial officers, and knowingly making false statements regarding Supreme Court cases.
It further claims he engaged in illegal activities with clients and used disrespectful language about judicial officers.
Farotimi’s controversial book has been barred from circulation by courts in Abuja and Oyo State.
He has since been arrested and arraigned on charges of defamation and cyberbullying, with allegations that the book falsely accuses Babalola and other senior lawyers of corrupt practices.
Farotimi is currently remanded in custody.
