A book written by Dele Farotimi, titled “Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System,” has become the number one bestseller on Amazon in the global politics category.
This happened shortly after Mr. Farotimi, a retired Lagos-based lawyer, was arrested following complaints by Afe Babalola, a 93-year-old senior lawyer and businessman.
The book, published in July 2024, highlights corruption in Nigeria’s judiciary and accuses Mr. Babalola of influencing court decisions through unethical practices.
Mr. Farotimi claims in the book that Mr. Babalola played a key role in compromising the Supreme Court, calling his actions a stain on the judiciary’s integrity.
Initially, the book had low sales, but interest surged after Mr. Farotimi’s arrest in Lagos on Tuesday morning. Police reportedly transported him to Ado Ekiti, a city where Mr. Babalola is a prominent figure.
Demand for the book increased both in Nigeria and globally, surpassing well-known titles like “Why Nations Fail.”
The arrest came after the police accused Mr. Farotimi’s book of creating fear and disturbing public peace. Following his arraignment on Wednesday, he was ordered to remain in custody until a bail hearing scheduled for December 10.
The incident has caused outrage across Nigeria. Many citizens have criticized Mr. Babalola and called for Mr. Farotimi’s release.
Mr. Babalola, who has faced similar allegations in the past, denies influencing judicial decisions, but public trust in the Nigerian judiciary remains low due to frequent reports of corruption.
