VeryDarkMan & Falana

A Lagos High Court sitting in Ikeja has dismissed the preliminary objections filed by social media influencer Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), in the N1 billion defamation suit instituted against him by renowned human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) and his son, music artiste Folarin Falana, popularly known as Falz.

Delivering her ruling, Justice Fimisola Azeez held that VDM’s objections lacked merit and awarded a total cost of N200,000 against him, N100,000 each in favour of Femi and Folarin Falana.

The judge further ordered the defendant to immediately file his defence in both suits.

The case stems from a video posted by VDM on his Instagram page (@verydarkblackman) on September 24, 2024, which the claimants say was defamatory and injurious to their reputation.

Channels TV reports that both Femi and Folarin are demanding N500 million each in damages, amounting to a total of N1 billion.

During the hearing, Femi Falana was represented by his legal team — Ernest Olawanle and Femi Akinyemi, while his son, Falz, was physically present in court. VDM was absent but was represented by his counsel, Marvin Omorogbe.

In their filings, the Falanas alleged that the video contained libellous, scandalous, and defamatory statements.

They asked the court to declare the publication defamatory and sought a perpetual injunction restraining VDM, his agents, or associates from publishing similar content in the future.

They also requested an order compelling VDM to issue a public apology on all his social media platforms and in a national newspaper.

VDM, in response, had filed a preliminary objection challenging the jurisdiction of the Lagos High Court.

He claimed the alleged offence occurred outside the court’s territorial jurisdiction.

However, the Falanas filed a counter-affidavit and a written address, urging the court to dismiss the objection.

Justice Azeez agreed with the claimants, dismissed the objection, and instructed the defendant to respond to the main defamation suit. The matter was adjourned to July 8 for mention and to give VDM time to file his statement of defence.

This latest ruling follows a prior decision by Justice Mathias Dawodu of another Lagos High Court.

On April 15, 2025, Justice Dawodu struck out a related pre-emptive suit filed by the Falanas. He ruled that the matter had become academic due to the pending substantive suit before Justice Azeez.

Notably, on October 14, 2024, the Falanas had secured a pre-emptive court order, which led them to file the substantive defamation case.

In response, VDM raised another preliminary objection, citing multiplicity of actions and requesting a stay of proceedings.

However, Justice Dawodu dismissed that application, stating, “The matter can no longer stand because it has no legs, and therefore, sustaining the matter amounts to a waste of precious judicial time.”

As the legal battle progresses, the court has now mandated VDM to formally respond to the allegations of defamation in what is shaping up to be a high-profile test of the legal boundaries of online expression and reputation rights.

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