The Lagos State High Court has ordered Martin Otse, also known as VeryDarkMan, a social media critic, to take down videos and comments that are derogatory of famous lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) and his son Folarin Falana, also known as Falz. The court has also fined the defendant N500 million for libel.
The judgment in suit number ID/8584/GCM/2024 was delivered by Justice M. O. Idowu on Tuesday. The action focused on films and defamatory statements that VeryDarkMan uploaded on September 24, 2024, connecting the Falana family to the contentious online figure Bobrisky.
The court determined that the remarks were defamatory and harming Femi Falana’s and his son’s reputations. The verdict states that the social media critic publicized the charges knowing they were untrue in order to damage their reputations.
Justice Idowu pointed out that as long as the publications are available online, the applicants’ reputation will continue to suffer from the defamatory remarks that are still popular on the defendant’s social media accounts. VeryDarkMan has been ordered by the court to remove the problematic content right away.
Context
A well-known human rights attorney in Nigeria with a lengthy history of advocacy and legal activity in support of civil freedoms is Femi Falana, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).
His son, Folarin Falana, better known by his stage name Falz, is a well-known rapper, actor, and lawyer who is particularly well-known for his public appearances and music, as well as his social and political activity.
Martin Otse, also known as VeryDarkMan, posted videos and offensive remarks on his social media sites, which is what led to the incident in question.
Unfounded allegations that Femi Falana and Falz were connected to controversial Nigerian internet personality Bobrisky were purportedly made by VeryDarkMan on September 24, 2024. Given their individual reputations in Nigerian society, the relationship is detrimental to the Falana family’s public image because Bobrisky, who is well-known for being vocal on gender and LGBTQ+ issues in Nigeria, has frequently been a divisive figure.
The Falana family sued VeryDarkMan for slander after believing that their reputation had been purposefully damaged. After considering the matter, the court decided in their favor, finding that the accusations were untrue and intended to damage their name.
This case demonstrates the growing influence social media has on public opinion as well as the potential legal repercussions of careless claims made without supporting evidence. Given their longstanding position in Nigerian public life, it also emphasizes the Falana family’s resolve to keep their reputation intact.
The court’s N500 million ruling is a stark reminder of the possible repercussions of defamation in the digital era, especially when it affects well-known people.
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