The prestigious law firm of Afe Babalola & Co. has formally petitioned the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC), calling for the removal of lawyer and human rights activist Dele Farotimi from the roll of Nigerian legal practitioners.
In a petition titled “Petition against Tomilola Titus Farotimi (also known as Dele Farotimi Esq),” the firm accused Farotimi of violating several provisions of the 2023 Rules of Professional Conduct for Legal Practitioners. These include Rules 1, 15, 26, 27, 30, and 31, among others. The petition alleges that Farotimi brought the judiciary and the legal profession into disrepute with his claims of corruption in his book, “Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System.”
The petition, submitted both in a personal capacity and on behalf of Afe Babalola & Co., specifically cited allegations made by Farotimi against the Supreme Court, the Lagos State High Court, and prominent figures in the legal profession, including Aare Afe Babalola, SAN, Olu Deramola, SAN, and other members of the chambers.
According to the firm, Farotimi’s statements constitute behavior unbecoming of a legal practitioner, violating professional ethics and undermining the judiciary’s integrity.
The petition demands disciplinary action against Farotimi, emphasizing the need to uphold the standards of the legal profession and protect its reputation. The LPDC is expected to review the allegations and determine whether disciplinary proceedings will be initiated against Farotimi.
Neither Farotimi nor his representatives have commented on the petition at the time of this report.