The Lagos State High Court has ordered social media critic, Martin Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, to remove defamatory comments and videos about renowned lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) and his son, Folarin Falana, popularly known as Falz. Additionally, the court has imposed a N500 million fine for libel.

Justice M. O. Idowu delivered the judgment on Tuesday in suit no: ID/8584/GCM/2024. The case centered around defamatory remarks and videos posted by VeryDarkMan on September 24, 2024, linking the Falana family to controversial internet personality Bobrisky.

The court found the statements to be defamatory and damaging to the public image of both Femi Falana and his son. According to the ruling, the social media critic knew the claims were false but published them with the intent to harm their reputations.“The defamatory statements continue to trend on the defendant’s social media platforms, causing ongoing harm to the applicants’ reputation as long as the publications remain online,” Justice Idowu noted. The court has directed VeryDarkMan to immediately take down the content in question
Background

Femi Falana, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), is a highly respected human rights lawyer in Nigeria with a long history of activism and legal work in the defense of civil liberties.

His son, Folarin Falana, popularly known as Falz, is a well-known rapper, actor, and lawyer who is also recognized for his social and political activism, particularly through his music and public engagements.

The incident in question stems from defamatory comments and videos posted by Martin Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, on his social media accounts.

On September 24, 2024, VeryDarkMan allegedly made unsubstantiated claims linking Femi Falana and Falz to controversial Nigerian internet personality Bobrisky. Bobrisky, known for being outspoken on gender and LGBTQ+ issues in Nigeria, has often been a polarizing figure, making the connection damaging to the Falana family’s public image, given their own respective profiles in Nigerian society.

The Falana family, feeling that their reputation had been maliciously tarnished, filed a defamation lawsuit against VeryDarkMan. The court, upon hearing the case, ruled in their favor, concluding that the allegations were false and designed to harm their reputation.

This case highlights the increasing role that social media plays in shaping public perception, and the legal ramifications that can follow when statements are made recklessly without factual backing. It also underscores the Falana family’s determination to protect their public image from being smeared, given their long-standing role in Nigerian public life.

The N500 million judgment awarded by the court serves as a stern reminder of the potential consequences of defamation in the digital age, particularly when it involves high-profile individuals.