A Lagos court has scheduled a hearing for February 19, 2025, to address preliminary objections in the defamation lawsuit filed by human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) and his son, musician Falz, against online personality VeryDarkMan (VDM). The case centers around a video posted by VDM, which the Falanas claim contains false and damaging allegations about them.
At the January 24, 2025 hearing, neither the Falanas nor VDM were present, but their legal teams were in attendance. VDM’s lawyer, Marvin Omorogbe, informed the court that he had received a counter-affidavit from the Falanas’ attorney, Omotade Omotunbosun. Omorogbe requested more time to respond to the counter-affidavit, and the court agreed to postpone the hearing.
The Falanas are suing for ₦500 million each in damages, claiming the defamatory video caused significant harm to their reputations. The video, posted by VDM on September 24, 2024, suggests that the Falanas received ₦10 million from social media influencer Bobrisky to influence a legal matter. Both father and son have denied the allegations.
The legal battle began when Justice Matthias Dawodu of the Lagos High Court issued an order on October 14, 2024, for VDM to remove the video from his social media platforms. The court also prohibited VDM from posting similar content until the case is resolved. Additionally, the court allowed legal documents to be served to VDM through his attorney, Deji Adeyanju.
In his initial objection to the case, VDM argued that the Lagos court lacked jurisdiction because he resides and works in Abuja, where the alleged defamatory content was posted. VDM’s legal team contends that the case was filed in Lagos in hopes of a more favorable ruling.
The Falanas, however, maintain that the video contains false claims that have severely damaged their public image. They assert that the claims made in the video are not only unfounded but have continued to circulate online, exacerbating the damage.
In addition to financial compensation, the Falanas are seeking a public apology from VDM. They have requested that the apology be published on all of VDM’s social media platforms and in a national newspaper, hoping this will help repair their tarnished reputations.
The Falanas have also requested a perpetual injunction to prevent VDM from posting further defamatory content. They argue that this legal action is necessary to prevent additional harm to their personal and professional lives.
As the case progresses, the Falanas’ legal team remains confident in their position, arguing that the video was maliciously intended and should not be allowed to stand. The defense, meanwhile, is likely to focus on challenging the jurisdiction of the Lagos court and potentially seeking the dismissal of the case.
The lawsuit has drawn considerable attention due to the prominence of the Falanas in Nigerian society. Femi Falana is a respected human rights lawyer, while Falz is a well-known figure in the entertainment industry. Both have been vocal on social issues, and any suggestion of misconduct is seen as serious.
Peace OdekunleJanuary 25, 20252 Mins read
