Afe Babalola: Abuja, Oyo courts order seizure, stop printing, circulation of Dele Farotimi’s book over defamation

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The Federal Capital Territory, FCT, High Court, Abuja, has issued an interim order stopping further publishing and circulation of copies of Dele Farotimi’s controversial book, titled: ‘Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System,’ whether physical, digital, or otherwise.

The presiding judge, Justice Peter Kekemeke, gave the order, following an ex-parte application filed by Kehinde Ogunwumiju, SAN, a managing partner at the Afe Babalola law firm.

The lawsuit contends that Farotimi defamed Chief Afe Babala in the said book.

The order also affected the embattled Lagos Human Rights lawyer’s agents, publishers, and a range of prominent booksellers, including Amazon, Rovingheights, Jazzhole Lagos, and Gendora Bookshops.

The court also ordered the seizure of all existing physical copies of the book from bookstores and online platforms, while directing the Nigerian Police Force, State Security Service, SSS, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, and other security agencies to enforce the order.The order is to continue pending the hearing and determination of a motion for an interlocutory injunction, which is scheduled for January 7, 2025.

Also, the security agencies involved were instructed to submit an affidavit, confirming their compliance with the order within 72 hours  receiving it.

Similarly, Justice Mufutau Adegbola of an Oyo State High Court has also issued an interim injunction restricting Farotimi and his associates from further printing the book.She granted the order after hearing an ex-parte application from another senior partner at the Afe Babalola law firm, Adebayo Adenipekun, SAN.

Justice Adegbola directed that Farotimi should be notified of the motion for interlocutory injunction.

The matter shall be heard on January 7, 2025.