Arrest pushes Dele Farotimi’s book into Amazon bestseller status amid defamation controversy

Dele Farotimi’s book, Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System, has risen to bestseller status on Amazon following his arrest over a defamation petition filed by senior lawyer and businessman Afe Babalola.

The book, published in July 2024, critiques systemic corruption in Nigeria’s judiciary and highlights alleged misconduct by prominent legal figures. Initially slow in sales, it surged in popularity after Farotimi’s arrest, sparking a rush to online platforms like Amazon and bookstores across Nigeria as readers sought to examine its controversial content.

Farotimi was detained on Tuesday in Lagos by armed policemen and transported to Ado Ekiti, 300 kilometers away, where Babalola, a prominent figure in the region, resides. The 93-year-old lawyer had alleged that the book accused him of compromising Nigeria’s judiciary.

The book’s newfound popularity reflects heightened public curiosity about its claims. “The arrest appears to have fueled interest in the book, turning it into a bestseller on global platforms,” one observer noted.

Farotimi was arraigned in Ekiti on Wednesday, where a judge ordered his remand pending a bail hearing scheduled for December 10.

The book’s rise to bestseller status comes amid debates about freedom of expression and the legal limits of critique. It remains unclear how the defamation case will unfold, but Farotimi’s arrest has undoubtedly amplified his work’s reach and impact.