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Court Blocks Publication and Sale of Farotimi’s Book, Orders Seizure of Copies by Police and DSS
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The High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, has issued a restraining order against human rights activist and lawyer, Dele Farotimi, prohibiting the publication, sale, advertisement, and distribution of his contentious book, Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System.
Justice Peter Kekemeke granted the interim injunction after reviewing an ex-parte application filed by Kehinde Ogunwumiju, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and managing partner at Afe Babalola’s law firm. The court order extends to Farotimi’s agents, publishers, distributors, and any other individual or entity involved in disseminating the book in any format, whether physical or digital, including on social media platforms.
The injunction is effective pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice for interlocutory injunction, which was filed on December 6, 2024.
Seizure of Physical Copies Ordered
As part of the ruling, Justice Kekemeke directed security agencies, including the Nigerian Police Force, State Security Service (SSS), and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), to confiscate all physical copies of the book wherever they may be found. These agencies are required to provide a compliance affidavit within 72 hours of receiving the ruling.
Parallel Injunction in Oyo State
In a related development, the Oyo State High Court also issued an interim order against Farotimi, barring him or anyone acting on his behalf from printing or distributing the book. This order was secured by Adebayo Adenipekun, another Senior Advocate of Nigeria from the Afe Babalola law firm, through an ex-parte application dated December 9, 2024.
Justice Mufutau Adegbola of the Oyo State High Court granted the interim injunction and directed that Farotimi’s legal representatives be notified. The case was adjourned to January 7, 2025, for the hearing of the motion on notice for interlocutory injunction.
Controversy Surrounding the Book
Farotimi’s Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System has stirred significant debate, with critics arguing that the book contains unflattering portrayals and allegations against the nation’s justice system and key legal professionals. While supporters see it as a bold critique of systemic flaws, detractors, including senior members of the legal profession, have described its contents as defamatory and potentially damaging to the reputation of individuals and institutions.
Legal Implications
The twin court orders represent a significant clampdown on the book’s dissemination, signaling that any further publication or distribution would be met with legal consequences. The case also raises broader questions about the balance between free speech and the protection of reputations within Nigeria’s judicial system.
As the legal battles unfold, attention will turn to the January 2025 hearings, where both courts will address the substantive arguments for and against the continuation of the restraining orders.
News
Monarchs in Etche LGA presenting symbolic traditional kola to FCT minister Wike at ongoing interactive meeting with Ogbakor, other stakeholders (Video)
Watch moment monarchs in Etche LG presenting the symbolic Traditional Kola to the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, at the ongoing Town Hal
Interactive Meeting with the Ogbakor Etche and other stakeholders in Etche LG, Rivers State, today.
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FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike has arrives at Etche in Etche Local Government, Rivers State today, for a Town Hall interactive meeting with stakeholders in the LG.
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Gombe State Governor and Chairman of the Northern States Governors’ Forum, Inuwa Yahaya, has said Boko Haram insurgents have been weakened but not completely defeated.
Yahaya spoke on Saturday at the 13th meeting of the forum in Maiduguri, Borno State, where he identified insecurity as one of the major challenges still confronting northern Nigeria.
“Boko Haram has been weakened but not defeated, and we still see attacks on our communities. Banditry and communal clashes are emerging as new threats,” he said.
The governor said persistent insecurity had made it difficult for many people displaced by violence to safely return to their communities.
He also expressed concern over the slow pace of major development projects planned for the region, including the Mambilla hydropower project, regional railway connections and broadband expansion.
Yahaya said the North was also facing significant challenges in healthcare and education despite progress recorded in some areas over the past six years.
Reflecting on the formation of the North East Governors’ Forum in Gombe in March 2020, he said the initiative was driven by the need for collective action to address challenges that individual states could not tackle alone.
“When we first met in Gombe, we did so out of necessity. The challenges confronting our region were greater than any one state could solve alone,” he said.
According to him, insecurity, banditry, cross-border crime, poor infrastructure, inadequate power supply and the humanitarian crisis remained issues requiring regional cooperation.
Yahaya, however, said the forum had recorded progress in areas including infrastructure, electricity, economic development, human capital development and security.
He also described the Kolmani oil exploration project as a major opportunity for the region, stressing that the initiative must ultimately translate into oil production, employment opportunities and increased government revenue.
Monarchs in Etche LGA presenting symbolic traditional kola to FCT minister Wike at ongoing interactive meeting with Ogbakor, other stakeholders (Video)
Watch moment FCT minister Wike arrives Etche in Etche LGA for town hall meeting today (Video)
Boko Haram still strong, not defeated – Northern governors chairman
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