Compliance Report: Court Bars Farotimi’s Book, Directs Security Agencies to Seize Copies

A Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Abuja has issued a temporary order restricting human rights advocate and legal practitioner, Dele Farotimi, from circulating his book titled Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System.

The presiding judge, Justice Peter Kekemeke, granted the order following an ex parte motion filed by Kehinde Ogunwumiju, SAN, a managing partner at Afe Babalola’s law firm. The ruling bars Farotimi and his affiliates from publishing, advertising, distributing, or selling both physical and digital formats of the book.

The injunction, which remains in effect pending the resolution of a motion for interlocutory relief, extends to online and social media platforms. Justice Kekemeke also directed law enforcement agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force, State Security Service, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, to seize any copies of the book found within the country.

The security agencies are mandated to file a compliance report within 72 hours of receiving the court’s ruling.

In a related development, an Oyo State High Court has issued a similar interim order restraining Farotimi from printing or distributing the book. The order was granted by Justice Mufutau Adegbola following an application by Adebayo Adenipekun, SAN, a senior partner in the Afe Babalola firm.

The Oyo court also mandated that Farotimi’s legal team be served notice ahead of a motion for interlocutory injunction, which is scheduled for hearing on January 7, 2025.

These rulings highlight ongoing legal disputes over the controversial publication, as the judiciary seeks to address claims raised by the applicants.