Court fines VDM N500m for libel, orders social media critic to remove posts on Falana, Falz

The Lagos State High Court has ordered controversial social media critic Martin Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, to remove defamatory comments and videos concerning lawyer and human rights activist Femi Falana (SAN) and his son, Folarin (Falz).

Additionally, the court imposed a N500 million fine for libel.

Justice M. O. Dawodu delivered the ruling on Tuesday. The case centred on defamatory remarks and videos posted by VeryDarkMan on September 24, 2024, linking the Falana family to controversial internet personality Bobrisky.

According to him, the publications made by VeryDarkMan on his social media accounts on September 24, 2024, linking Bobrisky to popular musician Falz, and his father were defamatory and injurious to their public image.

Dawodu stated, “According to the applicants (Falz and Falana), the defendant (VeryDarkMan) knew these statements (Bobrisky’s claims) were false and untrue but proceeded to publish them to injure their reputation.

“Furthermore, the defamatory statements are still trending on the defendant (VeryDarkMan)’s several online platforms and the injury to their reputation continues as long as the publication remains online.”