Another lawyer sues Dele Farotimi for N500 million
A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Olu Daramola has filed a N500 million lawsuit against Dele Farotimi, over alleged defamation in his book, “Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System”.
The case, brought before the Ogun State High Court in Ojodu Abiodun, marks the second major legal challenge the author is facing over the publication, following a similar suit by Chief Afe Babalola last month.
Daramola, a partner at Afe Babalola & Co. contended that statements on page 64 of the book have tarnished his reputation, portraying him in a negative light.
According to the SAN, the content has caused him public embarrassment and undermined his professional standing as a reliable and respected legal practitioner.
He claimed the remarks have subjected him to ridicule and scorn in the eyes of the public.
In his legal filing, Daramola is seeking N500 million in damages, along with a declaration that the book’s content is defamatory.
He is also asking for a court order mandating the author to publish a public apology in The Guardian and The Punch or two other national dailies.
Additionally, he has requested that all copies of the book in circulation, both print and digital, be withdrawn and destroyed.
Daramola is also seeking a perpetual injunction to prevent the continued distribution of the book, whether through traditional or digital platforms, and demanded that the court award interest on the judgment sum at 10 percent per year until the damages are fully paid.
The author, Farotimi, is currently in custody with the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS) and is yet to react to this new lawsuit.
No hearing date has been set either.
This development comes after Chief Afe Babalola, another respected legal luminary, filed a similar lawsuit against Farotimi for alleged defamatory statements in the same book.
