Just IN: Court Reschedules Judgment Date for Femi Falana’s Lawsuit Against VeryDarkMan

A Lagos High Court has postponed the hearing of a defamation case involving social media influencer Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), to January 23, 2025. The lawsuit was initiated by renowned human rights lawyer Femi Falana, SAN, and his son, Folarin Falana, also known as Falz....(CONTINUE READING)

VDM attended Thursday’s court session dressed in a traditional red outfit, accompanied by supporters who vocally cheered him on. However, the proceedings could not continue as scheduled due to the absence of several applications from the court’s records. Consequently, the presiding judge adjourned the case to early next year.

On October 14, Justice Matthias Dawodu ruled in favor of an ex parte application filed by the Falanas, granting interim and preemptive protection against defamation. The court ordered VDM to take down the allegedly defamatory video posted on September 24, 2025, and prohibited him from posting further content deemed defamatory about the plaintiffs until the case is resolved.

Justice Dawodu also mandated that all relevant case documents be served to VDM through his legal representative, Deji Adeyanju.

The Falanas, in separate lawsuits, are each demanding N500 million in damages. They allege that VDM’s social media video falsely claimed they had accepted N10 million from Idris Okuneye (Bobrisky) to influence a legal case, damaging their reputations. The plaintiffs argued that VDM’s statements were made recklessly and without verification, resulting in ongoing harm as the video remains accessible online.

In response, VDM has sought the court’s permission to appeal the interim ruling, arguing that a refusal to grant leave would lead to a miscarriage of justice and impact the broader legal framework. He stated, “A refusal to grant leave may result in the enforcement of a decision that does not reflect a correct application of the law, leading to outcomes detrimental not only to the parties involved but also to the administration of justice.”

VDM emphasized the importance of appellate review to ensure trial court decisions align with proper legal standards, underscoring its role in maintaining judicial integrity.