The book Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System, written by human rights lawyer and activist Dele Farotimi, has soared in popularity, currently ranking as the 622nd best-selling book on Amazon. This surge comes amidst massive interest from Nigerians following allegations of judicial corruption involving legal luminary Afe Babalola (SAN) and other prominent figures, which the book reportedly addresses.
According to Oxley Technologies, the controversy surrounding Farotimi’s arrest has significantly boosted sales. “The winner in this debacle between Mr. Farotimi and Babalola will be Uncle Dele. His book is currently ranked 622 in Amazon Bestseller rankings. This comes with massive sales. They’ve ended up giving the book publicity that wasn’t intended. Uncle Dele’s smiling to the bank,” the platform stated on X (formerly Twitter).
Other X users have echoed this sentiment, with Due Process Integrity Vanguard celebrating the book’s rise to bestseller status as “an incredible overnight success.”
Bookstores Nationwide Run Out of Stock
Bookstores across Nigeria, including Tinu-Ade Bookshop in Ibadan and VIC Bookstore in Abuja, have reportedly sold out of Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System. Speaking to Peoples Gazette, store representatives confirmed the spike in demand was linked to recent headlines involving Farotimi’s legal troubles.
The activist was arrested following a petition filed by Babalola. On Wednesday, an Ekiti State Magistrate Court in Ado-Ekiti denied Farotimi bail, ordering his remand until December 10, 2024. The case, filed under charge suit no: MAD/1,476.C/2024, lists the Ekiti State Commissioner of Police as the complainant against Farotimi as the defendant.
A Growing Movement for #FreeDeleFarotimi
Farotimi’s arrest has sparked widespread public outcry, with the hashtag #FreeDeleFarotimi trending across social media platforms. Supporters argue that his detention is a suppression of free speech and an attempt to silence his critiques of the judicial system.
The controversy has inadvertently turned Farotimi’s book into a cultural and political phenomenon. Many Nigerians are eager to uncover the details of the alleged indictment of Afe Babalola and its broader implications for the country’s judicial integrity.
As Farotimi’s trial looms, the growing attention on his book underscores a broader national conversation about justice, accountability, and the role of activism in Nigeria’s democracy.