Breaking
Afe Babalola Withdraws Defamation Cases Against Farotimi. See Why
Ado-Ekiti, January 27, 2025
The Founder of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti, Aare Afe Babalola SAN, has decided to withdraw the legal cases against activist and lawyer, Dele Farotimi. This decision was made after an intervention led by the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, and other prominent Yoruba traditional rulers.
Babalola had filed a petition with the Ekiti State Police Commissioner, alleging that Farotimi defamed him in his book, Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System. This led to Farotimi’s arrest and arraignment before two courts: a Magistrate Court in Ado-Ekiti for alleged criminal defamation and a Federal High Court in the same district for alleged cyber-bullying.
At a gathering held at Afe Babalola University after a midnight meeting with Yoruba monarchs, Babalola announced his intention to drop the charges. He said, “I will tell my lawyers to withdraw the case.”
The meeting was attended by several traditional rulers, including the Chairman of the Ekiti State Council of Traditional Rulers, Oba Ayorinde Ilori-Faboro (the Olojudo of Ido-Ekiti), Oba Adeyemo Adejugbe (the Ewi of Ado-Ekiti), Oba Joseph Adewole (the Ajero of Ijero-Ekiti), Oba Adejimi Adu (the Ogoga of Ikere-Ekiti), Oba Michael Ademolaju (the Oloye of Oye-Ekiti), and Oba Emmanuel Aladejare (the Alaaye of Efon-Ekiti).
During the meeting, Babalola expressed his disappointment over Farotimi’s accusations, stating, “I felt so bad that he accused me of winning all my cases through corruption.” He explained that he had previously rejected appeals to withdraw the cases, despite interventions from notable figures such as former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Catholic Bishop Matthew Kukah, and the Ewi of Ado-Ekiti.
“If you go through his pamphlet, you will see that he attacked many judges, including Supreme Court judges, by name,” Babalola said. “I am bothered because of where and how I started life—from the farm to where I am today.” However, he added, “There is nothing I am going to gain from his imprisonment or any damages. The only time I am happy is when I give.”
The Ooni of Ife, speaking on behalf of the monarchs, praised Babalola for his contributions to Yoruba culture, Nigeria, and the global community. “Your name is more than silver and gold,” the Ooni said, assuring Babalola that his reputation remained untarnished. “We, the obas, can attest to the hard work of Aare Afe Babalola. Nobody can joke with your name.”
Addressing Babalola directly, the Ooni said, “Dele Farotimi is your son, even if you do not know him personally. As elders and custodians of Yoruba culture, we appeal to you—enough is enough. Your name is intact, and we have resolved this matter in our own way.”
Babalola ultimately acknowledged the appeals of the monarchs and expressed his respect for the traditional institution, agreeing to end the legal proceedings.
Breaking
STATEHOUSE PRESS RELEASE: NATIONAL COUNCIL OF STATE UNANIMOUSLY APPROVES APPOINTMENT OF PROFESSOR AMUPITAN AS INEC CHAIRMAN
The National Council of State has approved the nomination of Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan (SAN) from the North-Central as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu presented Amupitan as the nominee to fill the vacant position, following Professor Mahmood Yakubu’s exit. Yakubu served from 2015 till October 2025.
President Tinubu told the council that Amupitan is the first person from Kogi, North-Central state, nominated to occupy the position and is apolitical.
Council members unanimously supported the nomination, with Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo describing Amupitan as a man of integrity.
In compliance with the constitution, President Tinubu will now send Amupitan’s name to the Senate for screening.
Amupitan, 58, from Ayetoro Gbede, Ijumu LGA in Kogi State, is a Professor of Law at the University of Jos, Plateau. He is also an alumnus of the university.
He specialises in Company Law, Law of Evidence, Corporate Governance and Privatisation Law. He became a Senior Advocate of Nigeria in September 2014.
Amupitan was born on April 25, 1967.
After completing primary and secondary education, he attended Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin, from 1982 to 1984, and the University of Jos from 1984 to 1987. He was called to the bar in 1988.
He earned an LLM at UNIJOS in 1993 and a PhD in 2007, amid an academic career that began in 1989, following his National Youth Service at the Bauchi State Publishing Corporation in Bauchi from 1988 to 1989.
Currently, he serves as the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration) at the University of Jos, a position he holds in conjunction with being the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of Joseph Ayo Babalola University in Osun State.
Among the academic positions he has held at UNIJOS are: Chairman of the Committee of Deans and Directors (2012-2014); Dean of the Faculty of Law (2008-2014); and Head of Public Law (2006-2008).
Outside of academics, Amupitan serves as a board member of Integrated Dairies Limited in Vom, a member of the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies Governing Council, and a member of the Council of Legal Education (2008-2014), among other roles. He was a board member of Riss Oil Limited, Abuja(1996-2004).
Amupitan is the author of many books on law, such as Corporate Governance: Models and Principles(2008); Documentary Evidence in Nigeria (2008); Evidence Law: Theory and Practice in Nigeria(2013), Principles of Company Law(2013) and an Introduction to the Law of Trust in Nigeria (2014).
He is married and has four children.
Bayo Onanuga
Special Adviser to the President
(Information and Strategy)
October 9, 2025
By: Divine Perezide
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has dismissed media reports suggesting that it has suspended the Delineation of Electoral Wards in Warri Federal Constituency, covering Warri South, Warri South-West, and Warri North Local Government Areas.
The rebuttal followed a report by the Punch Newspaper claiming that an INEC official had hinted at a suspension in connection with the Supreme Court judgement of December 2, 2022. INEC clarified such reports were misleading.
In a statement issued on Sunday, INEC emphasized “the commission has not taken any decision regarding the delineation exercise in the Warri Federal Constituency. Reports alleging suspension are inaccurate and do not reflect the position of INEC.
The Commission noted that it remains committed to upholding the Supreme Court judgment but insisted that due process and broad consultation must guide every step of the delineation process.
A senior Electoral Officer, who spoke on conditions of anonymity, stressed that INEC’s mandate cannot be subjected to misrepresentation. “We must be clear: no suspension has been declared. What we have is an ongoing consultation process to ensure compliance with legal and constitutional provisions,” he stated.
The Supreme Court ruling of December 2022 had directed INEC to ensure fair representation of all ethnic nationalities within the Warri Federal Constituency by reviewing and delineation wards accordingly.
INEC assured stakeholders, particularly in Delta State, that it would communicate its position at the appropriate time, adding that it remains committed to transparent and credible Electoral Reforms.
(c) IduwiniVoice
By: Favour Bibaikefie
The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has announced the withdrawal of services at Dangote Refinery and all Oil Installations following what it described as the unlawful dismissal of more than 80 of its members.
In a statement released by the union, the PENGASSAN condemned whT it termed “Dangote Refinery unilateral action to sack ova 800 members of our association for joining our union,” BBC Pidgin reported.
The association further described the move as “an affront to all workers for Nigeria and deliberate violation of Nigeria labour laws, di Constitution, and ILO convention.”
The mass sack has drawn significant concerns across labour circles, with PENGASSAN warning that such practices could set a dangerous precedent for the treatment of workers in the country’s oil and gas sector.
Reacting to the development, Dangote Refinery said it had taken necessary steps within the boundaries of law and industrial practice. While the company the company did not provide a detailed explanation for the dismissal, it insisted its actions were guided by operational realities.
Labour watchers say the dispute could escalate into a major confrontation unless urgent mediation is initiated by the federal government via the Ministry of Labour and Employment.
The refinery, commissioned to be a game-changer in Nigeria’s energy sector, now faces its first major labour crisis since operations began.