The law firm of Afe Babalola has submitted a formal petition to the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC), urging the removal of Lagos-based lawyer Dele Farotimi from the roll of Nigerian legal practitioners.
The firm alleges that Farotimi violated numerous provisions of the Rules of Professional Conduct for lawyers.
The 90-page petition, dated 6 December 2024, was signed by Ola Faro, a partner at Afe Babalola & Co., who was referenced in Farotimi’s book, Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System.
The petition, titled in part, Petition Against Tomilola Titus Farotimi (Also Known as Dele Farotimi, Esq.) for Violations of the Rules of Professional Conduct, accuses Farotimi of bringing the judiciary and the legal profession into disrepute through unfounded allegations of corruption against Supreme Court justices, High Court judges, senior advocates, and members of Afe Babalola’s chambers.
Allegations Against Farotimi
The petition lists multiple allegations, including:
- Making false accusations against the Supreme Court and the legal profession.
- Participating in and facilitating unlawful acts, such as bribing judicial officers.
- Engaging in disrespectful and unprofessional conduct toward other legal practitioners and the judiciary.
- Making defamatory statements against judicial officers instead of filing formal complaints.
- Obstructing and frustrating the administration of justice by taking steps to undermine Supreme Court decisions.
The petitioners assert that Farotimi knowingly engaged in illegal activities and distorted facts in his practice as a lawyer, which they argue jeopardises the integrity of the legal profession and the judiciary.
Statements from the Petitioners
According to Ola Faro, who submitted the petition both personally and on behalf of Afe Babalola & Co., “The contravention of these rules by the respondent (Farotimi) prompted this petition to protect the dignity of the legal profession, uphold the court as the temple of justice, and maintain professional standards.”
The petition also claims that some of the statements in Farotimi’s book could incite societal discord and discredit the judiciary, legal practitioners, and their reputations within the profession.
Role of the LPDC
The Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee is responsible for investigating and addressing professional misconduct among Nigerian lawyers. It has the authority to strike a practitioner’s name from the roll of lawyers kept by the Supreme Court, though such decisions may be appealed to the Supreme Court.
The petition underscores the gravity of Farotimi’s alleged actions, asserting that they have damaged the reputation of the judiciary and the legal profession in Nigeria.