The Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC) has rejected a request by Chief Afe Babalola SAN’s law firm, Emmanuel Chambers, to revoke the law practicing license of controversial lawyer and author, Tomilola Titus Farotimi, also known as Dele Farotimi, over allegations of criminal defamation and professional misconduct.

Farotimi was brought before the LPDC based on a petition authored by Mr. Ola Faro, a lawyer in Emmanuel Chambers.

The petition alleged that Farotimi, in his book Nigeria and Criminal Justice System, made defamatory statements against the Supreme Court and the legal profession.

The petition accused Farotimi of distorting case facts, disrespecting fellow lawyers, and engaging in actions that obstructed justice for personal gain. Specific grievances included references to a Supreme Court judgment that affected multiple residential estates and subsequent legal proceedings undermining the apex court’s decision.

However, in its report (B8B/LPDC/1571/2024), the LPDC determined that the alleged offenses occurred in Farotimi’s capacity as an author, not during his practice as a legal professional. The LPDC concluded that it lacked jurisdiction to address complaints about publications and advised aggrieved parties to seek redress in regular courts.