The Federal High Court in Abuja has issued an ex-parte order halting the production, sale, and distribution of Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System, a provocative book by human rights lawyer Dele Farotimi that has sparked heated debate both locally and internationally.
The court’s order, secured by prominent legal luminary Afe Babalola, SAN, has thrown the future of the globally recognized book into uncertainty. The book, which accuses Babalola of judicial manipulation, became an Amazon bestseller in the politics category, gaining widespread acclaim for its critique of Nigeria’s criminal justice system.
In Suit No. CV/5372/24, filed by Kehinde Ogunwumiju, SAN, on behalf of Afe Babalola, the court granted an interlocutory injunction stopping Farotimi and all affiliates, including major bookstores and online retailers such as Amazon, from distributing or advertising the book.
The injunction further directed the seizure of all physical and digital copies, stating:
“An order of interlocutory injunction restraining the defendant/respondent, whether acting by himself, his staff, employees, servants, privies, representatives, agents, publishers, distributors, sellers, or any other person however described… from further publishing, selling, circulating, advertising, or distributing the physical/hard/digital/soft copies of the book.”
Farotimi’s arrest on December 3, 2024, in Lagos and subsequent arraignment in Ekiti State for alleged criminal defamation of Babalola underscores the legal firestorm surrounding the publication.
Critics have decried what they describe as a concerted effort to stifle dissent and suppress public discourse.
Reacting to the injunction, a spokesperson for Farotimi’s legal team stated, “This case highlights the misuse of state apparatus to silence criticism. We are confident the truth will ultimately prevail.”
The move has attracted global attention, with free speech advocates condemning the order as a blow to intellectual freedom.
Meanwhile, public support for Farotimi continues to grow, fueled by the book’s fearless critique of systemic corruption within the judiciary.
As the legal battle intensifies, the book’s message remains a rallying point for many Nigerians. “Farotimi’s work holds up a mirror to our society,” said one reader, “and silencing it only confirms the truths he dares to reveal.”