King’s College London is facing increasing international pressure to sever its ties with prominent Nigerian lawyer and philanthropist Afe Babalola following the controversial arrest of rights lawyer Dele Farotimi....CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL ARTICLE➤
Babalola, a major donor to the prestigious UK institution, has been accused of using his influence to have Farotimi arrested on charges of alleged defamation.
In a petition dated December 17, 2024, the advocacy group Mothers United and Mobilised, representing a collective of Nigerian women and mothers, called on King’s College London to distance itself from Babalola and his actions.
The petition, signed by MUM convener Boluwaji Onabolu, also urged the institution to release a statement condemning the alleged suppression of dissent and to return the €10 million donation Babalola made to the college in 2023.
Farotimi was arrested by police officers from Ekiti State, Babalola’s home state, after making critical remarks about the 95-year-old lawyer in his book. The book accused Babalola of using financial leverage rather than legal skill to win cases, a claim that allegedly triggered the arrest. Farotimi was held for over two weeks, despite being granted bail under stringent conditions.
The petition argues that the situation in Ekiti, where Babalola holds significant influence, raises concerns about the fairness of any trial Farotimi may face.
MUM emphasized that the defamation charge, a civil matter, should have been addressed through legal proceedings in Lagos rather than escalating to an arrest orchestrated by Babalola’s influence over local police.
MUM further stated that King’s College London, a globally recognized institution, should not be associated with actions that undermine freedom of speech and the principles of legal fairness. The group called on the university to publicly support Farotimi’s right to a fair trial and demand his release from detention.
The petition urged King’s College London to take a stand for justice, human rights, and free expression, values it is expected to uphold.
“The defamation charge, a civil matter, should have been addressed through legal proceedings in Lagos, but instead, it was escalated to an arrest orchestrated by Chief Babalola using his home state’s police,” the petition read.
” King’s College London must stand on the right side of history. We urge the institution to break its silence and align itself with the fight for justice, human rights, and the protection of free expression, which are fundamental to the values it represents,” the group said. ...CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL ARTICLE➤
I thanks the old students of King college London for standing on side of truth, fundamental human rights is universally entrench in United Nations charter.