In a recent legal development, the Lagos High Court has rejected the preliminary objection filed by social media critic Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), in a defamation suit brought against him by Femi Falana SAN and his son, Folarin Falana, known by his stage name, Falz.
Justice F. Afeez ruled on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, stating that VDM’s application had no legal merit.
As a result, the court awarded a total cost of N200,000 against VDM, with N100,000 each going to both claimants.
The court further instructed VDM to immediately respond to the suit filed by the Falanas.
This move, according to court watchers, is aimed at preventing unnecessary back-and-forth that could damage reputations further.
The defamation suit stems from a video published by VDM on his Instagram page (@verydarkblackman) on September 24, 2024.
In the video, he allegedly made statements the claimants described as harmful to their reputation and image.
In the words of the plaintiffs, the video was filled with “libellous, scandalous and defamatory remarks.”
Due to the impact of the post, both Femi and Falz are each seeking N500 million in damages, totaling N1 billion.
The hearing took place with Femi Falana being represented by legal counsel Ernest Olawanle and Femi Akinyemi.
Falz was present in court, while VDM was absent but legally represented by his lawyer, Marvin Omorogbe.
In addition to the damages, the Falanas are asking the court to declare the publication as defamatory.
Moreover, they are seeking a perpetual injunction to prevent VDM, his agents, or any affiliates from making similar defamatory statements in the future.
The judge’s dismissal of the objection emphasizes the seriousness of the claims and the court’s focus on justice.
“The application lacked merit,” Justice Afeez stated in his ruling.
Meanwhile, this lawsuit has sparked public interest, particularly due to the figures involved Falana, a well-respected human rights lawyer, and Falz, a popular entertainer and activist.
The court’s actions show the importance of responsible speech online, especially when addressing public figures.
