Court Dismisses VeryDarkMan’s Objection In N1bn Defamation Suit Filed By Femi Falana, Falz
A Lagos State High Court sitting in Ikeja has dismissed preliminary objections raised by social media personality, Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), in a N1 billion defamation suit brought against him by renowned human rights lawyer Femi Falana, SAN, and his son, musician and activist Folarin Falana, aka Falz.
In his ruling, Justice F.A. Azeez struck out VDM’s bid to have the case dismissed on jurisdictional grounds and ordered him to pay N200,000 in costs, N100,000 each to the Claimants. The judge further directed the Defendant to file his defence without delay.
The suit stems from a video posted on VDM’s Instagram page on 24 September 2024, in which the Falanas allege he made false and damaging claims against them.
They are demanding N500 million each in damages, a public apology, and an injunction restraining further defamatory content.
While Femi Falana was absent in court, he was represented by his lawyers, Ernest Olawanle and Femi Akinyemi. Falz was present.
VDM, though not in court, was represented by his counsel, Marvin Omorogbe.
VDM’s claim that the alleged offence occurred outside Lagos and thus fell outside the court’s jurisdiction was rejected, with the judge siding with the Falanas’ counter-affidavit and written address.
This ruling follows a similar decision by Justice Mathias Dawodu of another Lagos High Court, who recently struck out a related objection by VDM, calling it a waste of judicial time in light of the ongoing suit before Justice Azeez.
The Falanas are seeking a declaration that VDM’s publication is libellous, an order restraining him from further defamatory posts, and a public apology across social media and in a national newspaper.
The case has been adjourned until 18 July 2025.
