In a Lagos State High Court in Ikeja, a N1bn defamation suit brought by human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) and his son Folarin, known as Falz, against Martins Otse, also known as VeryDarkBlackMan, has been adjourned to February 19, 2025. The court has set this date to address a preliminary objection filed by VeryDarkBlackMan’s lawyer, Marvin Omorogbe, challenging the suit’s competence and the court’s jurisdiction.
The Falanas initiated the legal action against VeryDarkBlackMan, seeking N500m each in damages over a video he posted on social media alleging that they received N10m from Idris Okuneye, popularly known as Bobrisky, to pervert justice. The court had previously ordered VeryDarkBlackMan to remove the defamatory video and comments against the senior lawyer and his son.
Justice Matthias Dawodu further prohibited VeryDarkBlackMan from releasing any more defamatory content against the Falanas on his social media platforms until the court hears the case. The court mandated that all legal documents be served on VeryDarkBlackMan through his lawyer, Deji Adeyanju.
During the recent court session, the defense counsel requested more time to respond to the counter-affidavit filed by the plaintiffs against the preliminary objection. The plaintiffs’ lawyer did not oppose the adjournment, leading to the case being rescheduled for February 19, 2025.
VeryDarkBlackMan’s legal team argued that the court lacks territorial jurisdiction to handle the suit under the High Court of Lagos State (Civil Procedure) Rules, 2019. They claimed that the defendant operates in Abuja, making the court’s jurisdiction invalid. Additionally, they alleged that the Falanas chose the court strategically in hopes of a favorable outcome.
The Falanas asserted that VeryDarkBlackMan knowingly published false and damaging statements about them without verification, causing harm to their reputation. They are seeking various reliefs, including a declaration of defamation, monetary compensation, a permanent injunction against further defamation, and a public apology on all of VeryDarkBlackMan’s social media platforms and in a national newspaper.