Federal High Court Orders Halt on Dele Farotimi’s Controversial Book.
The Federal High Court in Abuja has issued an ex-parte order stopping the production and distribution of “Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System,” a book authored by human rights lawyer Dele Farotimi.
The book, which has become a global bestseller in the politics category on Amazon, has stirred significant debate due to its allegations of judicial manipulation.
On December 3rd, armed police officers arrested Farotimi at his office in Lagos and transported him over 300 kilometres to Ekiti.
The following day, he was arraigned before a Magistrate Court in Ado-Ekiti on charges of criminal defamation against legal luminary Afe Babalola, SAN, as detailed in his book.
Farotimi’s book accuses Babalola of using his influence to obtain favourable judicial rulings for his clients.
These allegations have drawn substantial public attention and criticism, spotlighting Babalola’s alleged misuse of police to intimidate Farotimi.
The court order, sought and obtained by Babalola, mandates an immediate cessation of all sales and distribution of the book, both in physical and digital formats.
Filed under suit No. CV/5372/24 on December 6, 2024, by Kehinde Ogunwumiju, SAN, the head of Babalola’s law firm, the Plaintiff also requested the seizure of any royalties from the book’s sales.
Consequently, the court issued an interlocutory injunction barring Farotimi and associated parties from further distributing the book.
The injunction specifically restricts the dissemination through various bookstores, including Amazon, Rovingheights, Booksellers, Jazzhole Lagos, Glendora, Quintessence Lagos, and Patabah Books Limited.
The legal action to block the book’s distribution coincides with its growing global popularity, earning praise for its bold critique of Nigeria’s criminal justice system.
As a result, distributors have ceased the sale of the book.
A source who attempted to purchase 10 copies told SaharaReporters on Wednesday that the store in Abuja had informed him of the court order and confirmed the halt of all book sales from their inventory.
“Book Banned: The Real Reason Court Stopped Distribution of Dele Farotimi’s Explosive Exposé”
