Legal titan Afe Babalola‘s law firm has launched a significant disciplinary action against Lagos-based attorney Dele Farotimi, seeking his removal from Nigeria’s legal profession over alleged misconduct and defamatory statements against the Supreme Court and several prominent legal figures.
The extensive 90-page petition, filed with the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC) on December 6, 2024, accuses Farotimi of violating multiple professional conduct rules through statements made in his book, “Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System.” The petition was submitted by Ola Faro, a partner at Afe Babalola & Co., who was personally mentioned in Farotimi’s controversial publication.
At the heart of the complaint lies a series of serious allegations regarding Farotimi’s professional conduct and public statements about Nigeria’s judicial system. The petitioners argue that Farotimi’s actions have brought the entire judiciary into disrepute through what they describe as unfounded corruption allegations against Supreme Court justices, Lagos State High Court judges, and several distinguished legal practitioners, including Aare Afe Babalola SAN and Olu Daramola SAN.
The petition raises particularly grave concerns about Farotimi’s alleged admission of improper conduct with judicial officers. According to the document, Farotimi allegedly participated in and documented instances of bribing judicial officers and maintaining unauthorized access to them, actions that would constitute serious breaches of professional ethics if proven true.
Of significant concern to the petitioners is Farotimi’s alleged pattern of making false statements regarding cases already decided by the Supreme Court. The petition contends that these actions, combined with what they characterize as “uncouth, unprofessional, undignified and offensive language” against the Supreme Court and its justices, represent a fundamental breach of the respect and dignity owed to Nigeria’s highest court.
The law firm’s petition also addresses Farotimi’s alleged behavior toward fellow legal practitioners. It claims he failed to maintain professional courtesy and respect in his dealings with colleagues, allowing personal feelings to influence his professional conduct and distorting case facts in his legal practice.
The petitioners express particular concern about the potential broader implications of Farotimi’s published statements, suggesting they could “set the legal profession and society ablaze.” They argue that these statements were deliberately made to discredit not only the Nigerian judiciary but also to damage the reputation and financial standing of various legal professionals and institutions.
This disciplinary action invokes multiple provisions of the Rules of Professional Conduct 2023, citing violations of Rules 1, 15(1), 15(2B), 15(3A), 15(3G), 15(3I), 15(3J), 26(1), 27(1), 30, and 31(1), (2) and (4). These rules collectively govern professional behavior, ethical standards, and the maintenance of judicial dignity within Nigeria’s legal system.
The LPDC, as the regulatory body responsible for investigating and addressing misconduct among Nigerian lawyers, now faces the task of examining these serious allegations. Their mandate includes ensuring that legal practitioners maintain high ethical standards and professional conduct. The committee holds the authority to recommend striking off a lawyer’s name from the Supreme Court roll, though such decisions can be appealed to the Supreme Court itself.
The case highlights the ongoing tension between maintaining professional discipline within the legal community and protecting the right to critique judicial institutions. It raises important questions about the boundaries of acceptable professional criticism and the mechanisms for addressing perceived misconduct within Nigeria’s legal system.
This disciplinary action represents more than just a professional dispute; it reflects broader concerns about maintaining the integrity and dignity of Nigeria’s legal institutions while balancing the need for accountability and reform. The outcome of this case could have significant implications for how legal practitioners approach public criticism of the judiciary and their professional colleagues.
The timing of this petition, coming at the end of 2024, makes it a particularly significant case that could influence professional conduct standards within Nigeria’s legal community for years to come. As the LPDC begins its investigation, the legal community and public alike will be watching closely to see how this delicate balance between professional discipline and freedom of expression is maintained.
The case also underscores the ongoing debate about transparency and accountability in Nigeria’s judicial system, while highlighting the professional risks involved in publishing critical commentary about legal institutions and colleagues. As this matter proceeds through the disciplinary process, it will likely generate substantial discussion about the boundaries of professional critique and the mechanisms for addressing perceived misconduct within the legal profession.
