A Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja has issued a sweeping order barring human rights activist and lawyer Dele Farotimi from publishing, selling, or distributing his book, Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System. The ruling comes amid a legal maelstrom sparked by allegations of defamation and cyberbullying leveled against Farotimi by Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Aare Afe Babalola.
Justice Peter Kekemeke, presiding over the Abuja court on Wednesday, granted an ex parte application from Kehinde Ogunwumiju (SAN), Managing Partner at Afe Babalola’s law firm. The order prohibits any further dissemination of the book, whether in physical or digital form, and mandates the seizure of existing copies by law enforcement agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force, State Security Service, and the Civil Defence Corps.
The contentious legal saga deepened with a similar interim order issued by an Oyo State High Court. Justice Mufutau Adegbola restrained Farotimi and his associates from printing additional copies of the book, pending a hearing on January 7, 2025.
The controversy centres on claims made in Farotimi’s book, where he alleged that Babalola and other Senior Advocates of Nigeria had corrupted Supreme Court justices. These accusations led to a petition by Babalola, prompting Farotimi’s arraignment before both a Federal High Court and a magistrates’ court in Ekiti State.
Farotimi’s legal battles have escalated, with his arrest on December 2 sparking criticism over the manner of his detention. The activist was apprehended in Lagos and transported to Ekiti State, where a magistrate’s court ordered his remand in a correctional facility in Ado-Ekiti.
Farotimi’s book, which scrutinizes Nigeria’s criminal justice system, has ignited a firestorm of debate about free speech and the limits of defamation laws in the country. Critics of the court rulings argue that the actions against the activist represent a chilling precedent for dissenting voices.
Justice Kekemeke’s ruling extends to a directive that security agencies must submit affidavits within 72 hours to demonstrate compliance with the seizure order. Meanwhile, Farotimi remains in custody, with the legal motions against him continuing to unfold.
The high-profile case has cast a spotlight on the intersection of activism, judicial accountability, and the influence of Nigeria’s legal elite. As hearings resume in January, the legal and societal implications of this controversy are poised to intensify, challenging the boundaries of free expression in Nigeria’s fragile democracy.
