A Lagos High Court sitting in Ikeja has ordered social media influencer Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), to pay a fine of ₦200,000 after dismissing his preliminary objections to a ₦1 billion defamation lawsuit filed by human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) and his son, music artiste Folarin Falana (known as Falz).
Justice Fimisola Azeez ruled that the objections were without merit and awarded costs of ₦100,000 each to Femi and Folarin Falana. The judge also instructed the defendant to promptly file his defence in both suits.
The Falanas are seeking redress over a video posted by VDM on his Instagram page (@verydarkblackman) on 24 September 2024, which they allege was defamatory and damaging to their reputations. Each claimant is demanding ₦500 million in damages, totalling ₦1 billion.
At the hearing, Femi Falana was represented by Ernest Olawanle and Femi Akinyemi, while Folarin Falana appeared in person. VDM was absent but represented by his counsel, Marvin Omorogbe.
The claimants accused VDM of making libellous, scandalous, and defamatory statements in the video and are asking the court to declare the content defamatory. They are also seeking a perpetual injunction to prevent VDM, his agents, or associates from making or disseminating similar statements in future.
In addition, the Falanas are requesting an order compelling VDM to issue a public apology on all his social media platforms and in a national newspaper.
In response, VDM filed a preliminary objection seeking to dismiss the case, arguing that the Lagos High Court lacked jurisdiction as the alleged offence occurred outside its territorial reach. However, the claimants submitted a counter-affidavit and a written address urging the court to reject this claim.
Justice Azeez upheld the counterarguments, dismissed the objection, and directed VDM to respond to the core defamation allegations. The matter was adjourned until 8 July for mention and to allow the defendant to file his statement of defence.
This ruling follows an earlier decision by Justice Mathias Dawodu of another Lagos State High Court, who on 15 April 2025 struck out a related pre-emptive suit filed by the Falanas. Justice Dawodu held that the matter was now academic given the pending substantive defamation case before Justice Azeez.
On 14 October 2024, the Falanas had obtained an initial pre-emptive order and later filed a full lawsuit. In reaction, VDM raised a separate preliminary objection, citing multiplicity of suits and requesting a stay of proceedings. However, Justice Dawodu ruled the objection lacked legal foundation, as the pre-emptive matter had lapsed and the substantive case was properly before the court.
Striking out the objection, the judge remarked, “The matter can no longer stand because it has no legs, and therefore, sustaining the matter amounts to a waste of precious judicial time.”
With proceedings now fully underway under Justice Azeez, VDM is expected to formally address the defamation allegations.