The Federal High Court in Abuja has granted an injunction preventing the sale and distribution of “Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System,” authored by human rights lawyer and activist Dele Farotimi.
Issued on December 6, 2024, the order follows a lawsuit filed by prominent legal practitioner Afe Babalola, SAN, who sought to stop the distribution of the contentious book. The court’s injunction restricts Farotimi and associated parties—including publishers, distributors, and bookstores—from selling or distributing physical, digital, or soft copies of the work.
This order also affects major online platforms such as Amazon and Rovingheights Bookstore, effectively curtailing the book’s availability. The lawsuit arose from allegations in the book that accuse Babalola of manipulating the judiciary for personal gain.
“Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System” critiques the state of Nigeria’s judicial system, alleging corruption and undue influence from powerful figures in the legal profession. While the book has ignited public debate and garnered praise for its bold critique, it has also faced significant backlash from legal elites, particularly Babalola, who claims it defames his character.
Babalola’s legal team filed suit number CV/5372/24, asserting that Farotimi’s book contains defamatory statements that harm his reputation. The injunction prohibits any further distribution, publication, or sale of the book, which had already gained notable attention and reached the top of Amazon’s bestseller list in the politics category.
As a result of the injunction, sales of the book have ceased. Bookstores and online platforms have confirmed compliance with the court order, with one Abuja bookstore stating they halted sales upon receiving notice of the injunction. A representative from the store informed SaharaReporters that they could no longer fulfill orders due to the legal action.
