A Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Abuja has issued an order preventing human rights lawyer and activist Dele Farotimi from publishing, selling, or distributing his book, Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System. This includes both physical and digital formats of the book.
A similar injunction was granted by an Oyo State High Court, restraining Farotimi and his associates from further printing or circulating the contentious publication.
The lawyer-activist is currently entangled in multiple legal battles over claims made in the book, which has been described as controversial.
Farotimi has been arraigned in both the Federal High Court and a Magistrates’ Court in Ekiti State on charges of defamation and cyberbullying. The charges stem from allegations made by legal icon and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Aare Afe Babalola, who accused Farotimi of defaming him in the book. According to the police, Farotimi alleged in the publication that Babalola and other senior lawyers influenced Supreme Court justices through unethical practices.
Following his arraignment, Farotimi was remanded in custody on the orders of the Chief Magistrates’ Court in Ado Ekiti.
In Abuja, Justice Peter Kekemeke granted an ex parte application filed by Kehinde Ogunwumiju (SAN), a managing partner at Afe Babalola’s law firm, seeking the prohibition of the book’s circulation. Justice Kekemeke also directed security agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force, State Security Service, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, to confiscate all copies of the book wherever found.
The judge ordered all involved security agencies to file affidavits confirming compliance with the ruling within 72 hours. These measures remain in effect pending the hearing of a motion for an interlocutory injunction scheduled for January 7, 2025.
Similarly, Justice Mufutau Adegbola of the Oyo State High Court issued an interim order prohibiting the further printing or distribution of the book. This order was granted following an ex parte application by Adebayo Adenipekun (SAN) on behalf of Afe Babalola’s legal team.
Farotimi’s arrest on December 2 has sparked criticism, with reports indicating that he was apprehended in Lagos and transported to Ekiti State, where he was arraigned. The activist remains in custody as legal proceedings continue.
