Nigerian activist, lawyer and author Dele Farotimi has been arrested by authorities, following a petition filed by prominent lawyer Afe Babalola. The latter alleges Farotimi’s book – Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System, published last month – defames him, as he is explicitly named as one of the individuals responsible for corrupting the country’s judiciary. Babalola says the accusation is baseless and designed to cause ‘fear’ and ‘public disturbances.’
Many Nigerians are angered by the arrest. They see it as an attack on their civil liberties and an attempt to silence those exposing the country’s systemic corruption. Nationwide protests are being organised to demand Farotimi’s release and his book is reportedly selling out in bookstores across the country. Nigerians are purposefully purchasing the book after it was revealed that Babalola’s petition included a request to ‘recover all copies of the book,’ essentially seeking to ban it across the country. They view both the arrest and the ban request as attempts to silence the truth and intimidate those who speak it.
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