Dele Farotimi’s book “Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System” has rocketed to Amazon’s number one bestseller list following the author’s arrest by armed policemen, sparking a nationwide conversation about freedom of expression.
The book, which legal luminary Aare Afe Babalola claims contains defamatory statements, unexpectedly gained massive popularity after Babalola’s petition to the Ekiti State Police Division led to Farotimi’s detainment.
The book is listed first under โAmazon’s Best Sellersโ with a subheading โOur most popular products based on sales updated regularly.โ
The arrest has inadvertently transformed the book into a symbol of resistance, with supporters rallying behind the author. Prominent actress Shaffy Bello has even committed to purchasing and distributing 20 copies, declaring the arrest a testament to “the type of crazies we have around us.”
Social media has erupted with solidarity, as Nigerians rush to purchase the book, transforming what was potentially meant to be a suppressive action into a powerful platform for public discourse. The book’s sudden surge to the top of Amazon’s bestseller list underscores the potential unintended consequences of attempting to silence critical voices.