Falanas Vs Verydarkman: Court fines VDM ₦200,000 over Falana defamation suit

A Lagos High Court in Ikeja has ordered social media activist Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), to pay ₦200,000 after dismissing his preliminary objections to a ₦1 billion defamation suit filed by human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) and his son, music star Folarin Falana (Falz).

Justice Fimisola Azeez ruled that VDM’s objections lacked merit and imposed ₦100,000 each in favour of Femi and Falz. The judge also instructed VDM to immediately file his defence in the ongoing suits. The lawsuit stems from a video VDM posted on Instagram on September 24, 2024, which the Falanas described as defamatory and damaging to their reputations.

Each is seeking ₦500 million in damages. While Falz appeared in court, his father was represented by lawyers Ernest Olawanle and Femi Akinyemi. VDM, who was absent, was represented by his counsel, Marvin Omorogbe.

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The claimants allege that the video contained libellous and scandalous content, and they are asking the court to declare it defamatory, issue a perpetual injunction restraining VDM and his associates from making similar posts, and compel him to publicly apologise on social media and in a national newspaper.

VDM had asked the court to dismiss the case on jurisdictional grounds, claiming the alleged offence occurred outside Lagos. The Falanas countered with a written argument and affidavit.

Justice Azeez sided with the Falanas, dismissed the objection, and ordered VDM to respond to the main d+famation case. The matter was adjourned to July 8 for mention. This comes after Justice Mathias Dawodu struck out a related pre-emptive suit by the Falanas on April 15, ruling it was now academic given the ongoing case before Justice Azeez.