MY RESPONSE TO THE DUKE OF SHOMOLU FIGURATIVELY CATEGORIZING CHIEF AFE BABALOLA, SAN., AS A GOD OF SOME SORT!
Well, he is not my god! As an elder, I respect him as we ought to do to all elders! But before anyone consecrates him as a god in the Nigerian Legal Profession, and in the public space at large, let me take them back memory lane!
On 26th February, 2020, the Nigerian Supreme Court imposed a N30 million fine on Chief Afe Babalola, SAN. and Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN., two very senior lawyers, over the application for a review of its judgment on Bayelsa State governorship election.
Amina Augie, J.S.C., who read the judgment on behalf of the seven-man panel, said as follows concerning Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN & Chief Afe Babalola, SAN:
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“With tears in my eyes, I cannot believe that in my lifetime, I would see very senior members of the bar bring applications of this nature to this court which are aimed at desecrating the sanctity of this court, violating the principles and decisions of this court and destroying the esteem on which this court is held.
The applications are vexatious, they are frivolous and gross abuse of court process.
In the circumstances, the two applications are hereby dismissed and the cost of N10 million each is awarded against the first, second and third applicants respectively in favour of the first, second and third respondents to be paid personally by their respective counsels.”
So, from the clear findings of the Supreme Court, Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN., and Chief Afe Babalola, SAN., had been indicted by the Supreme Court for:
- desecrating the sanctity of the Supreme Court;
- violating the principles and decisions of the Supreme Court;
- destroying the esteem in which the Supreme Court is held;
- involved in gross abuse of Court process.
Let god seekers seek their gods, but I take exceptions to being pontificated to about certain facts when it comes to those whom respects are due in this country on certain matters of public and historical knowledge! If the Apex Court of your country pilloried you in the twilight of your life and career, one would have thought some circumspection would be involved before you go casting further stones in the market place!
Chief Afe Babalola, SAN., is not my god or my role model! And he is free to send Ekiti State Police Command to arrest me too! I look forward to receiving them!!
A. B. Jimoh
4th December, 2024.
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