VeryDarkMan Appeals Lagos High Court Ruling in Defamation Case Against Falana, Falz

Social media influencer Martins Otse, widely known as VeryDarkMan, is seeking permission from the Lagos High Court to appeal a ruling issued by Justice Matthias Dawodu. The ruling, made on October 14, 2024, ordered VeryDarkMan to remove a defamatory video and comments targeting prominent human rights activist Femi Falana, SAN, and his son, the popular musician Falz.

The controversy erupted over allegations stemming from a recorded conversation that suggested Falana and Falz accepted N10 million from the well-known crossdresser Idris Okuneye, also known as Bobrisky, to manipulate justice. Following these accusations, Justice Dawodu acted swiftly to halt the dissemination of such defamatory material, effectively prohibiting VeryDarkMan from releasing further comments or videos concerning the senior lawyer and his son pending a hearing in their lawsuit.

According to reports from GistLover, Justice Dawodu’s ruling included a directive for VeryDarkMan to refrain from publishing any additional defamatory content about Falana and Falz across all social media platforms. This injunction was aimed at preventing any further damage to the reputations of the individuals involved while the lawsuit is ongoing.

In light of the court’s decision, VeryDarkMan filed two distinct motions requesting an extension of time to appeal the ruling. His legal team argued that the court’s order was predominantly based on the affidavit submitted by the respondents, asserting that the ruling was interlocutory in nature and thus required court approval for an appeal to proceed.

In his motion, dated October 18, VeryDarkMan contended that the discretion exercised by the court should be both judicial and judicious. He expressed concern that denying him the opportunity to appeal would result in a miscarriage of justice, as the case raises significant legal questions deserving of further examination.

“A refusal to grant leave may result in the enforcement of a decision that does not reflect a correct application of the law,” he stated. “This could lead to outcomes detrimental not only to the parties involved but also to the administration of justice as a whole.”

VeryDarkMan emphasized the critical role of the appellate court in clarifying and correcting decisions made by trial courts. He asserted that such oversight is essential for maintaining the integrity of the judicial system. “The appellate court’s role is vital in ensuring that justice is served correctly and effectively,” he added.