By correspondent.
The Ooni of Ile Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, in company of prominent Yoruba traditional Rulers in Ekiti state, has settled the rift between Chief Afe Babalola and human rights activist/ lawyer, Dele Farotimi.
Otunba Moses Olafare,Director, Media & Public Affairs,
Ooni’s Palace, disclosed this in a statement he signed and a copy made available to The Reporters on Monday.
According to him,the Ooni and other prominent Yoruba traditional were at the Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti (ABUAD) last night to appeal to the founder of the university Aare Afe Babalola to forgive the human rights lawyer and activist,Dele Farotimi.
He added that the Ooni also advised Chief Babalola to withdraw the ongoing criminal case he instituted against the human activist.
Giving insight into what transpired at the event, Olafare said: “Ooni Ogunwusi arrived Ado Ekiti at about 10:08pm last night into the waiting hands of Aare Afe Babalola himself accompanied by the Vice Chancellor Professor Elisabeta Smaranda Olarinde
Bursar Pastor Joseph Modupe Babalola.
“The school PRO, Deans of various faculties at the university and the legal team of Afe Babalola handling Farotimi’s criminal case.
“The Vice chancellor in her welcome speech at the meeting acknowledged Ooni’s love for the school’s founder and the school itself which she described as one of the leading universities in Africa.
“The Ooni briefed the journalists about the outcome of the meeting which was earlier held close door between Afe Babalola and the Ooni.
“Ooni was accompanied by Ewi of Ado, Oba Rufus Adejugbe Aladesanmi III, Ajero of Ijero, Oba Adewole Joseph Adebayo, the Ogoga of Ikere, Oba Samuel Adejinmi Adu, Alaaye of Efon Alaaye, Oba Dr. Emmanuel Aladejare Agunsoye II and the Olojudo of Ido Ekiti who doubles as Chairman, Ekiti Council Of Traditional Rulers and Oba Ilori Faboro.”
The director said that having watched the scenarios surrounding the criminal case instituted against Dele Farotimi with rapt attention, the traditional rulers believed that it has become very imperative to apply Alternative Dispute Resolution method which the Yoruba race was known for in the past, because it’s a case between father and son.
“We have come today to appeal to Aare Babalola to forgive his son; Dele Farotimi and what we want from him is to withdraw the criminal charges against Farotimi today.
“Aare Afe Babalola, you are an elderstateman, you have seen it all, you are one of the iconic voices in this country, a great man per excellence, you are a rare breed who has excelled in everything you have touched in this life, a very God fearing elderstateman, above all, you are one of the proponents of the Yoruba ethos of Omoluwabi which has been your strongest value that you hold in our country.
“This is what we are using to bring down the tempo in what has happened between you and your son Dele Farotimi.
“We have been very proud of you as a great Yoruba elderstateman. You have done great things for this race and Nigeria such that your name can never be forgotten.
“We’ve all come together as traditional Rulers to discuss with you on this issue and this gentleman Dele Farotimi is your son and you must forgive him and withdraw the criminal charges against him.
“As a father, you have soft sons and you have tough sons, Dele Farotimi is a tough son of yours. You have indeed made a point that your name cannot be be messed with”, the director quoted the traditional rulers concerned as saying,” they said.
The direct added hat when given the microphone to respond to the request made by the Ooni and the traditional Rulers, Aare Afe Babalola did not hesitate to accept the request saying that he grew up as a child to understand such interventions by the traditional rulers.”I hereby withdraw the criminal charges against Farotimi,” Aare Babalola said.
Chief Babalola also declared that he has not only forgiven Dele Farotimi but also will instruct his lawyers to withdraw the criminal charges against him with immediate effect, because of the honour for the Ooni and the other Obas.
“Today is a very important day for me, I’m a Yoruba man and I’m very proud to be one. Ewi of Ado has come here to meet me on this matter, former president Obasanjo has intervened, same with Bishop Matthew Kukah and a host of other prominent Nigerians to ask for the exact thing you have come to ask for this evening., my answer to them has been “NO” but today my answer is “YES”
“Your coming is unquantifiable in terms of money, who Am I? When the colonialists came here in the 17th century or thereabouts, they found as a fact that Yoruba land was a highly organised society with an advanced system of government with each town headed by an Oba who was regarded as a replica of God on earth. His words were commands.”
In the middle ages, the Greeks had a saying”the meadow that grows on the bank of a river which obeys the direction of the flood remains strong forever but the meadow that grows that disobeys the direction of the flood were broken asunder,Arare Babalola was qouted as saying.
He said he had listened to the Ooni’s advice and he certainly didn’t want to be a meadow by the riverside which disobeys the flood, the director further disclosed.
Edited by Dada Ahmed.
