Mr Femi Falana has written a letter to the Inspector General of Police to investigate the threat by High Chief Mike Oshaloni, the Oloti of Ado Ekiti to attack lawyers in Ado Ekiti.
In the letter, Falana wrote: “Based on my involvement in the campaign to decriminalise free speech in Africa, I had cause to call for the release of Mr. Dele Farotimi on the ground that criminal defamation had been expunged from the Criminal Law of Lagos State. At the material time, I did not know of any plan to arraign him before the Federal High Court and the Magistrate Court in Ekiti State over his book entitled “Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System.”
On account of the said statement, one High Chief Mike Oshaloni, the Oloti of Ado Ekiti and the head of the Afe Babalola family has produced and circulated a video where he threatened to unleash violence on lawyers and protesters in Ado, Ekiti State. Without any justification whatsoever, the said Chief Oshaloni has threatened to attack me and some unnamed lawyers in Ekiti State. Tel: +2348033004903 E-mail: flitigation@gmail.com.”
Below is the letter in full:
18 December 2024
The Inspector-General of Police,
Louis Edet House,
Abuja, FCT
REQUEST FOR INVESTIGATION INTO THE THREAT TO ATTACK LAWYERS IN ADO EKITI BY CHIEF MIKE OSHALONI
Based on my involvement in the campaign to decriminalise free speech in Africa, I had cause to call for the release of Mr. Dele Farotimi on the ground that criminal defamation had been expunged from the Criminal Law of Lagos State. At the material time, I did not know of any plan to arraign him before the Federal High Court and the Magistrate Court in Ekiti State over his book entitled “Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System.”
On account of the said statement, one High Chief Mike Oshaloni, the Oloti of Ado Ekiti and the head of the Afe Babalola family has produced and circulated a video where he threatened to unleash violence on lawyers and protesters in Ado, Ekiti State. Without any justification whatsoever, the said Chief Oshaloni has threatened to attack me and some unnamed lawyers in Ekiti State. Tel: +2348033004903 E-mail: flitigation@gmail.com
In a veiled reference to me, Chief Oshaloni said that “Whatever you say, you must expect consequences for it. So, either he is doing it willingly or being sponsored, whoever is involved, they are going to regret this action.” As if that was not enough, Chief Oshaloni said “…I cannot imagine lawyers coming to support Farotimi in the name of doing their job, destroying somebody who is a very senior member of the association, without looking… without waiting to know the basic truth of this matter.”
As I am neither involved in the legal defence of Mr. Dele Farotimi nor in any planned protest against Aare Afe Babalola SAN in Ado, Ekiti State, you will agree with me that Chief Oshaloni’s reference to me in the video is an attempt to call a dog a bad name to hang it. While Aare Afe Babalola SAN has the unquestionable right to defend his name and reputation, Chief Oshaloni has no right to unleash violence on lawyers for expressing their views or for defending Mr. Dele Farotimi in a court of law in any State in Nigeria.
Having regard to the facts and circumstances of this case, I am compelled to request you to use your good offices to cause an investigation into the threat to attack me and my property. I am confident that you will accede to this request in view of the duty imposed on the Nigeria Police Force to protect the life and property of every citizen.
Kindly find the link reporting the threat of Chief Mike Oshaloni. https://phoenix-browser.com/HFAjFD1Nmr2.
While anxiously awaiting your reply, please accept the assurances of our highest esteem and professional regards.
Yours sincerely,
FEMI FALANA SAN