The Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC) has dismissed a request by the law firm of Chief Afe Babalola SAN, Emmanuel Chambers, to revoke the law practice license of lawyer and author, Tomilola Farotimi, also known as Dele Farotimi. The petition, based on allegations of criminal defamation and professional misconduct, was filed by Ola Faro, a lawyer with Emmanuel Chambers.
The petition claimed that Farotimi’s book, “Nigeria and Criminal Justice System”, contained defamatory statements about the Supreme Court and the legal profession. However, the LPDC, after reviewing the case, concluded that the alleged offences were committed in Farotimi’s capacity as an author, not in his role as a legal practitioner.
The committee determined that it lacked the jurisdiction to address complaints related to publications and advised those aggrieved by the book’s content to seek redress in regular courts. Justice Isaq Usman Bello, Chairman of the LPDC, confirmed that the petition could not be granted due to jurisdictional limitations.
The book in question referenced a legal case, SC/146/2006, involving Major Muritala Gbadamosi Eletu and HRH Oba Tijani Akinloye. It accused judicial officers and members of the legal community of corruption and unethical practices. Emmanuel Chambers alleged that Farotimi had distorted facts, disrespected fellow lawyers, and obstructed justice for personal gain.
Despite these claims, the LPDC emphasized that the book was an intellectual property and not related to conduct during Farotimi’s legal practice, advising that any grievances regarding the publication be taken to regular courts.
