A Lagos High Court fined social media activist VeryDarkMan ₦200,000 after dismissing his objections in a ₦1 billion defamation suit by Femi Falana (SAN) and his son Falz. The court ordered him to file his defense as the case continues.
- Justice Azeez rejected VDM’s preliminary objections, imposing ₦100,000 fines each for Falana and Falz.
- The suit concerns a September 2024 Instagram video the Falanas say defamed their reputations.
- VDM must now file his defense; the court adjourned for mention on July 8.
The defamation case pits a prominent human rights lawyer and his celebrity son against a vocal social media figure, highlighting tensions around freedom of speech, accountability, and reputation in Nigeria’s digital age. Public reactions reveal mixed opinions about the suit and the fine.
Will this ruling set a precedent for social media accountability in Nigeria? How will VDM’s next legal moves influence digital expression and defamation laws?
