Court Orders Seizure of Dele Farotimi’s Book Over Defamation; Some Nigerians Mock The Order, Keep Receiving Copies From Amazon

The Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja has ordered the seizure of physical copies of lawyer and activist Dele Farotimi’s book for allegedly containing defamatory content about prominent lawyer Afe Babalola.

Judge Peter Kekemeke issued the order on Wednesday, directing police and security agencies to seize copies “wherever they may be found.”

The ruling arose from an application by Kehinde Ogunwumiju, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, seeking ₦500 million in damages for defamation against Farotimi.

The book “Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System” offers a critical account of the Nigerian judiciary and highlights Babalola’s and his law firm’s alleged corruptive influence. The global online bookstore Amazon has named the book a Bestseller.

In the complaint, Ogunwumiju argues that the book contains “false, malicious, reckless, and defamatory” statements about him, the law firm, and its lawyers.

Following Babalola’s petition, the police charged Farotimi with criminal defamation and cybercrime at courts in Ado Ekiti. The judge’s ex parte order banned the book’s distribution and advertisement, halting sales online and in physical bookstores.

Ogunwumiju’s law firm sent emails to bookstores, warning them to stop selling the book or risk facing contempt of court proceedings, potential imprisonment, and fines.

The email stated that non-compliance could lead to actions restricting access to their websites and social media.

RovingHeights Bookstore confirmed they quickly complied with the court order by stopping the book sale.

Farotimi’s 104-page book accuses the law firm of “compromising the integrity of the Supreme Court” and collaborating with “crooked lawyers and incompetent justices.”

Despite handling high-profile cases, Ogunwumiju denied involvement in judicial corruption, stating he has maintained integrity throughout his career.

This case adds to the barrage of legal challenges facing Farotimi, who also has to deal with two criminal cases initiated by Babalola’s petition.

Farotimi supporters say the Nigerian corrupt class is viciously fighting back to safeguard the system.

To test compliance with the court ban order, some Nigerians claim they successfully purchased the book online from Amazon and had it delivered by courier.

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