Afe Babalola & Co., a renowned Nigerian law firm, has filed a petition urging the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC) to strike Lagos-based lawyer Dele Farotimi from the roll of legal practitioners in Nigeria.
The firm accuses Farotimi of violating multiple provisions of the Rules of Professional Conduct for lawyers.
The detailed 90-page petition, dated December 6, 2024, was signed by Ola Faro, a partner in the firm and a subject of Farotimi’s book Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System.
The petition, titled Petition Against Tomilola Titus Farotimi (Also Known as Dele Farotimi, Esq.), alleges that Farotimi’s conduct brought the Nigerian judiciary into disrepute.
Specific allegations include making unfounded claims of corruption against Supreme Court justices, Lagos State judges, and prominent legal professionals, including Afe Babalola SAN and members of his law firm.
Ola Faro, writing on behalf of the firm and in his personal capacity, detailed the allegations, stating:
Farotimi “engaged in conduct which is unbecoming of a legal practitioner by making false accusations against the Supreme Court and the legal profession.”
He “participated in conduct that he believes to be unlawful by bribing judicial officers and having unlawful access to a judicial officer.”
Farotimi allegedly “gave service to his client which he knows is capable of causing a breach of law.”
The petitioners accuse Farotimi of contravening multiple sections of the Rules of Professional Conduct 2023, including provisions related to professional integrity and ethical standards.
The petitioners also assert that Farotimi’s actions undermine the integrity of the judiciary and the legal profession, urging the LPDC to take decisive action by removing him from the roll of legal practitioners.
