Dele Farotimi’s book, Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System, achieved the top spot on Amazon’s bestseller list Thursday morning, marking a rare milestone for Nigerian-themed literature, according to checks by Peoples Gazette.
The surge in popularity began Wednesday afternoon and coincided with a spike in demand at local bookstores across Nigeria.
Interest in the book intensified globally following the arrest of Mr. Farotimi, a retired Lagos-based lawyer, reportedly on the orders of 93-year-old senior lawyer Afe Babalola. The book’s global acclaim has placed it ahead of renowned titles like Why Nations Fail.
In the book, published in July 2024, Mr. Farotimi critiques corruption within Nigeria’s judiciary, with Afe Babalola singled out as a key figure.
He alleged that Mr. Babalola “compromised the Supreme Court and the remaining semblance of integrity it might have had.” He also details a specific case where he claims Mr. Babalola influenced the Supreme Court, leading it to “swim in the sewer of corruption and shameful self-abnegation.”
The book expands on widespread public concerns about judicial corruption in Nigeria, alleging that senior lawyers have used cash and material bribes to sway judges at various levels.
Despite its initial low sales, the book gained traction after Mr. Farotimi’s dramatic arrest by armed policemen in Lagos on Tuesday.
He was subsequently taken to Ado Ekiti, about 300 kilometers from Lagos, where Mr. Babalola wields significant influence.
Mr. Farotimi was arraigned on Wednesday in Ekiti, where a judge ordered his remand pending a bail hearing on December 10. Police cited the book as “likely to cause fear and alarm to the public or disturb the public peace,” according to court documents obtained by Peoples Gazette.
Afe Babalola has faced longstanding allegations of leveraging his status to influence court rulings, undermining trust in Nigeria’s judiciary. Though he has consistently denied these claims, public criticism persists.
Retired Justice Dattijo Muhammad recently criticized the judiciary’s vulnerability to corruption but did not mention Mr. Babalola by name.
The arrest has ignited widespread outrage, with many Nigerians calling for Mr. Farotimi’s release and criticizing Mr. Babalola’s alleged role in the detention.
