UK Institution Faces Pressure To Cut Ties With Afe Babalola Over Dele Farotimi Arrest
A mounting wave of international criticism is urging King’s College London to sever ties with prominent Nigerian lawyer and philanthropist, Afe Babalola, following the contentious arrest of human rights lawyer Dele Farotimi.
Babalola, a major donor to the prestigious UK institution, has been accused of leveraging his influence to orchestrate Farotimi’s arrest over alleged defamation.
In a petition dated December 17, 2024, Mothers United and Mobilised (MUM), an advocacy group representing Nigerian women and mothers, called on King’s College to denounce Babalola’s actions.
The petition, signed by MUM convener Boluwaji Onabolu, demanded that King’s College London release a statement condemning the suppression of dissent and return the €10 million donation made by Babalola in 2023.
Farotimi’s detention stems from statements in his book that criticised Babalola, claiming the 95-year-old lawyer relied more on financial leverage than legal acumen to win cases.
The lawyer was arrested by police in Ekiti State—Babalola’s home state—following the publication of his book. He was detained for over two weeks despite being granted bail under conditions described as excessively punitive.
MUM alleged that the defamation charge, a civil matter, was improperly escalated to a criminal arrest and claimed Babalola’s influence made a fair trial in Ekiti unlikely.
“The defamation charge, which is a civil matter, should have been addressed through legal proceedings in Lagos. Instead, it was weaponised, leading to an orchestrated arrest in Ekiti,” the petition stated.
The advocacy group stressed that King’s College London must not associate itself with actions that undermine freedom of speech and legal fairness.
“King’s College London is a globally respected institution. Associating with Afe Babalola, given his alleged suppression of dissent, contradicts the values the institution stands for,” the petition read.
MUM further called on King’s College to publicly support Farotimi’s right to a fair trial and demand his immediate release.
“King’s College London must stand on the right side of history,” the group said in its statement. “We urge the institution to break its silence and align itself with the fight for justice, human rights, and free expression, which are fundamental to the values it represents.”
As calls for justice grow louder, the university faces increased pressure to respond to the controversy and clarify its position on the matter.
