Olu Daramola, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and partner at the Afe Babalola law firm, has initiated a ₦500 million defamation lawsuit against Tomilola Titus Farotimi, popularly known as Dele Farotimi, over alleged defamatory content in his book, Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System.
The lawsuit, filed at the Ojodu Abiodun Division of the Ogun State High Court, comes just weeks after Chief Afe Babalola (SAN) lodged a similar case regarding the same book. The writ, dated December 13, 2024, was filed on Daramola’s behalf by legal counsel Iheanyichukwu C. Uwa.
Daramola contends that certain statements on page 64 of the book are defamatory, alleging that they have subjected him to public ridicule, disrespect, and disrepute. He argues that the publication has damaged his reputation as a respected, competent, and trustworthy legal professional.
The SAN is seeking several remedies, including:
- A court declaration that the book contains defamatory content.
- ₦500m in exemplary and general damages.
- A public apology from Farotimi to be published in The Guardian and The Punch or other prominent national newspapers.
- An order to recover and destroy all hard and soft copies of the book currently in circulation across Nigeria, including copies available in bookshops, libraries, online platforms, and social media.
- A perpetual injunction preventing the further publication or circulation of the book.
- Interest on the awarded judgment sum at a rate of 10% per annum until the debt is fully paid.
Farotimi, who is currently in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), has not yet filed a response to the allegations.
No date has been set for the hearing of the case.
This lawsuit adds to ongoing legal actions against Farotimi, following a similar defamation suit by Chief Afe Babalola, also in relation to the same book.
