VeryDarkMan Slammed with N500m Fine for Libelous Posts Against Falana, Falz

The Lagos State High Court has issued a ruling against social media commentator, Martin Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, ordering him to take down defamatory statements and videos he posted about prominent lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) and his son, popular musician and activist Folarin Falana, also known as Falz.

In the judgment delivered by Justice M.O. Idowu, the court not only mandated the removal of the defamatory content but also imposed a fine of N500 million for libel.

The case, which was brought before the court by Femi Falana and his son, stemmed from a series of damaging remarks and videos posted by VeryDarkMan on September 24, 2024. In these posts, VeryDarkMan alleged that the Falana family was associated with controversial internet personality Bobrisky, a claim which the court found to be false and injurious to their reputation.

Justice Idowu, in her ruling, emphasized the importance of protecting individuals from baseless attacks on their character, especially in the digital space where misinformation can spread rapidly. She reiterated that freedom of expression does not grant the right to defame others, and any such conduct would have legal consequences.

This judgment serves as a reminder of the increasing scrutiny on the spread of defamatory content on social media platforms and the legal liabilities attached to such actions. It also reinforces the need for responsible use of social media, particularly when making public allegations against individuals.

The court’s decision to impose a substantial fine reflects the gravity of the harm done to the reputations of both Femi Falana and his son, Falz, who are well-respected figures in the legal and entertainment industries, respectively.