We have just woken up to reports that the high Chief may have decided to drop all charges against gentleman Farotimi in his famous defamation suit.
Just yesterday, I was engaging with Mr Farotimi in my bid to get him on my podcast and his resolve I found, on the matter to be very strong.
He spoke a lot which I would not mention but left me with the impression that we may have found another Gani Fawehinmi
The shoes Gani left have not been filled by any of these pretenders who parade themselves with weak legal capacity and as such do not render any opposite bulwark to the ravaging upsurge that is maladministration occasioned by its evil twin the trampling of basic rights by power
Farotimi, in one, fell swoop, has laid claim to that vacant throne
His refusal to ‘beg’, the elegance of his detention and his supremely brilliant positions stand him out as a giant
This is the biggest non-constitutional power anybody can take on
This is the most powerful none elective power in the land, with vast influence over the elements of constitutional and traditional power
Farotimi stared it down its face, refused to budge and sent a signal that he was ready to fight to the finish
Instantly, a quick soft landing was prepared and representatives of a weak and subjugated traditional sphere gathered to ‘appeal’
Very brilliant you would say cos according to the Yoruba tradition, elder must listen to the appeals from the younger ones no matter the fact that they bear crowns
But this doesn’t end the conflict. Cos the conflict has always been beyond Dele and his elderly nemesis.
The conflict is that of throwing up the system in a bid to hold it accountable
It was never a legal matter; it has always been a matter between the people who own the ultimate power and those who are custodians of constitutional power.
The withdrawal of the case as reported will do nothing to the underlying, much more serious cases.
The system has been called into question, its officers have been thrown up for questioning, their processes have been subjected to public scrutiny, and a huge spotlight has been cascaded all throughout the nooks and crannies of the system.
Something tells me that this is just the beginning and that Mr Farotimi, in his strengthened profile, would lead a charge that would make Gani smile in his grave and say – that’s my boy.
Lets get ready for another round of upsurge in the sales of the book which is now seen as the bible of resistance for a tortuous people
Someone will really soon beat me but definitely not Dele Farotimi
Thank you
Duke of Shomolu
Last modified: January 27, 2025
