A Nigerian-themed book, “Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System” by Dele Farotimi, has surged to the top of Amazon’s bestseller list in the global politics category. The book’s popularity soared following the author’s arrest on the orders of lawyer and businessman, Afe Babalola SAN
The demand for Farotimi’s book on global platforms like Amazon mirrored a similar rush to bookstores across Nigeria, where citizens were eager to learn about its content. The global interest was sparked by Farotimi’s arrest, ordered by the 93-year-old senior Nigerian lawyer.
In the book, published in July 2024, Farotimi criticizes corruption in the Nigerian judiciary and specifically mentioned Babalola SAN as one of the top offenders. He alleges that Babalola “compromised the Supreme Court and the remaining semblance of integrity it might have had” by approaching “the Supreme Court and getting that court to swim in the sewer of corruption and shameful renunciative.”
The book saw low sales following its publication until Farotimi was arrested by the armed policemen in Lagos on Tuesday morning and transported to Ado Ekiti, where Babalola is known as the largest employer of labor. After his initial arraignment on Wednesday, the court remanded Farotimi in custody pending his bail hearing on December 10. The police charge sheet stated that the book “was likely to cause fear and alarm to the public or disturb the public peace.”
Babalola has long faced public criticism as one of the senior lawyers disreputable for their ability to influence court judgments across the country, wearing public trust in the Nigerian judiciary. Although he has denied the allegations, some judges have lamented how certain lawyers are known for their ability to undermine the judicial system by buying judgments.
Farotimi’s detention has sparked public outrage, with Nigerians demanding his release and criticizing Babalola SAN, who is widely known as the most influential private citizen in Ekiti State. The book’s sudden rise to the top of Amazon’s global politics bestseller list, highlights the growing international interest in the state of Nigeria’s judiciary and the corruption allegations surrounding it.
