By JOHNSON JOHN, Abuja.
Justice Peter Kekemeke of the Federal High Court in Abuja has mandated the Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Police Force, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps to seize copies of Dele Farotimi’s book, titled Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System, from various bookstores.
The decision came after an ex parte application submitted by Kehinde Ogunwumiju, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and the managing partner of Afe Babalola’s Emmanuel Chambers.
The book gained popularity after Farotimi’s arrest orchestrated by senior lawyer Afe Babalola, causing a surge in demand. The court has given the security agencies 72 hours to report back on their compliance with the order.
Bookstores listed in the application include Amazon Online Bookstore, Dele Farotimi Publishers, Jazzhole Lagos Bookstore, Rovingheights Bookstore, Booksellers Bookstore, Quintessence Lagos Bookstore, Glendora Bookshop, and Patabah Books Limited.
Rovingheights Bookstore confirmed that the book is currently out of stock in response to an order request.
The court order prohibits further publishing, selling, circulating, or distributing the book either physically or digitally until the substantive suit is heard. Farotimi is facing criminal and civil cases based on the book’s content, accusing Babalola of corruption.
Following his arrest, new cases have been brought against Farotimi by lawyers affiliated with Babalola’s camp. These cases are separate from the one initiated by the Inspector General of Police before a Federal High Court in Ekiti.
