* Falana has cordial relationship with Afe Babalola – community leader
By John Odunayo
The show of love and solidarity for the founder of Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti, Aare Afe Babalola, SAN, has led to disagreement between two community leaders in Ado Ekiti and Ilawe Ekiti.
The two chiefs are a community leader and Head of the family of Afe Babalola family in Ado Ekiti, Chief Mike Osaloni, who is the Olotin of Ado Ekiti and the quarter Head Chief of Aaye in Ilawe Ekiti, the Olojaaye, High Chief Kayode Apalowo, who have spoken from warring positions to show love for Afe Babalola.
Babalola had petitioned the police in Ekiti, urging the law enforcement agency to arrest and prosecute Lagos lawyer, Dele Farotimi, for defaming him in his book titled Nigeria and its criminal law system.
The police had consequently trailed, arrested and dragged Farotimi to an Ekiti State Chief Magistrate Court, Ado Ekiti District, which in turn reserved ruling in the bail application by Farotimi’s lawyers till December 20.
An enraged Chief Mike Osaloni, had during a chat in Ado Ekiti last week criticised Lagos lawyer, Femi Falana, SAN, for allegedly criticizing Afe Babalola over the arrest of Farotimi.
But the Quarter Head Chief of Aaye, in Ilawe Ekiti, the Olojaaye, High Chief Kayode Apalowo, urged the Ado Ekiti Chief not to drag the name of Femi Falana SAN in the mud over the court case involving Are Afe Babalola SAN and Dele Farotimi.
Apalowo, in a statement in Ilawe Ekiti on Sunday, gave the warning while reacting to media reports quoting Chief Osaloni as being critical of Falana’s alleged stance in the matter.
Apalowo who is the leader of Femi Falana’s quarter in Ilawe Ekiti, noted that Falana, though a human rights activist, would never protest over an issue that is already a subject of litigation in courts.
He cautioned Osaloni not to stain the cordial relationship between Femi Falana SAN and elder statesman, Aare Afe Babalola SAN.
