Afe Babalola petitions Legal Disciplinary Committee & wants Dele Farotimi barred from law practice

The Law Firm of Afe Babalola has petitioned the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee, (LPDC) against legal practitioner, Dele Farotimi, alleging that he violated certain provisions of the rules of professional conduct for lawyers.

The LPDC is the regulatory body that investigates and addresses misconduct among Nigerian lawyers, and can bar any lawyer from legal practice.

In a 90-page petition dated December 6, 2024, the firm asked the LPDC to bar Farotimi from law practice for a book he wrote, titled, “Nigeria and its criminal justice system.”

The petitioners said Farotimi “engaged in conduct which is unbecoming of a legal practitioner by making false accusations against the Supreme Court and the legal profession.”

The petitioners also stated that Farotimi “Participated in conduct that he believes to be unlawful by bribing judicial officers and having unlawful access to a judicial officer.”

“Joined his clients in committing misconduct and breach of law with reference to judicial officers by having unlawful access to a judicial officer.

“Gave service to his client which he knows is capable of causing a breach of law and disrespect and corrupting a judicial officer.

“Knowingly made false statement of law and facts in respect to a case already decided by the Supreme Court.”

“Assisted his clients in a conduct that he knows to be illegal and fraudulent.”

“Knowingly engaged in illegal conduct in the cause of his practice as a legal practitioner.”

“Treated his fellow lawyers without respect, fairness, consideration and dignity, allowing ill feeling between opposing clients to influence his conduct and demeanour by distorting the facts of a case in the cause of his practice as a legal practitioner.”

“Failed to observe good faith and fairness in dealing with other lawyers in respect to a case already decided by the Supreme Court.”

“Conducted himself in a manner that obstructed, delayed and adversely affected the administration of justice by taking steps to frustrate a decision of the Supreme Court for his personal benefit and benefit of his client who lost at the Supreme Court.”

“Treated the court, particularly the Supreme Court without respect, dignity and honour by using uncouth, unprofessional, undignified and offensive language against the Supreme Court and the justices of the Supreme Court.”

“Made defamatory statements against judicial officers rather than making a complaint to appropriate authorities.”

“Indicated that he discussed a pending case with a judge trying the case in the absence of an opposing lawyer.”

The petitioners stated that “The contravention of these rules by the Respondent (Farotimi) prompted this petition to protect the dignity of the legal profession, the dignity of the court as the temple of justice and to uphold the standards of the legal profession.”