The Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC) has dismissed a petition filed by Emmanuel Chambers, the law firm of Chief Afe Babalola (SAN), seeking the revocation of Dele Farotimi’s law license over allegations of criminal defamation and professional misconduct.
The petition, submitted by lawyer Ola Faro, accused Farotimi of making defamatory statements about the Supreme Court and the legal profession in his book Nigeria and Criminal Justice System.
In its ruling, the LPDC determined that the alleged offences occurred in Farotimi’s capacity as an author, not in his role as a legal practitioner. As a result, the committee declared it lacked jurisdiction over the matter.
LPDC Chairman, Justice Isaq Usman Bello, stated:
“The publication is an intellectual property and not a conduct or action committed while practicing as a Legal Practitioner. All aggrieved parties who find the publication ‘defamatory’ should ventilate their grievances through the regular courts.”
The book allegedly referenced case SC/146/2006, involving Major Muritala Gbadamosi Eletu and HRH Oba Tijani Akinloye, and contained claims of corruption and unethical practices within the judiciary. Emmanuel Chambers argued that the book distorted facts, disrespected fellow lawyers, and violated sections of the Rules of Professional Conduct for Legal Practitioners 2023.
Despite these allegations, the LPDC’s jurisdictional limitations prevented the petition from succeeding. It advised concerned parties to seek redress in regular courts.