A Lagos High Court has ordered social media influencer VeryDarkMan (VDM) to pay ₦200,000 in fines after dismissing his preliminary objections to a ₦1 billion defamation suit filed by human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) and his son, rapper Falz.
The suit stems from a video VDM published on his Instagram page, which the Falanas claim contains defamatory and injurious content that has damaged their reputation.
In response, VDM filed a preliminary objection challenging the court’s jurisdiction, arguing that the alleged offense occurred outside the court’s territorial jurisdiction. However, the Falanas’ legal team countered this argument, urging the court to dismiss VDM’s objection.
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Justice Fimisola Azeez ruled in favor of the Falanas, holding that VDM’s applications lacked merit. The judge directed VDM to file his defense in the suits and adjourned the case to July 8 for mention.
The Falanas are seeking damages, a perpetual injunction restraining VDM from making similar statements, and a public apology on all VDM’s social media platforms and a national newspaper.
