The Lagos State High Court has ordered social media influencer Martins Otse, also known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), to remove defamatory videos and comments targeting prominent human rights lawyer Femi Falana and his musician son, Falz.
The ruling, delivered on Monday by Judge M.O. Dawodu, comes in response to a preliminary application filed by Falana seeking preemptive measures to halt further defamation.
The legal dispute stems from events that unfolded in September 2024, when VeryDarkMan shared an audio clip on Instagram featuring controversial crossdresser Bobrisky, whose legal name is Idris Okuneye.
In the leaked recording, Bobrisky alleged that while incarcerated at Kirikiri Correctional Centre, Falz and his father had approached him offering to secure a “presidential pardon” for a fee of N10 million.
Falana vehemently denied these claims during an October appearance on Channels TV’s Politics Today. “I have never contacted or known Bobrisky,” the 66-year-old lawyer stated emphatically. He also refuted the alleged N10 million deal, explaining, “I have secured pardons for numerous convicts without any charges.”
Rather than pursuing criminal charges against VeryDarkMan, Falana opted for civil proceedings to restore his and his son’s reputation.
He noted that he had initially requested an apology and retraction from the influencer, which was not provided. Consequently, on October 9, 2024, Falana filed an ex parte originating application against VeryDarkMan.
In Monday’s ruling, Judge Dawodu granted Falana’s request for preemptive orders and authorized service through substituted means.
The court directed VeryDarkMan to “delete and stop publishing or circulating the defamatory video/comments first published on 24 September via his social media handles and pages against Mr Falana and Falz.”
The judge elaborated, “I hereby make the following orders, the Defendant, his agents, and privies are hereby restrained from further releasing, publishing, or circulating any defamatory video/comments about the applicant and to bring down the defamatory video/comments about the applicant published on 24 September 2024 on all his online social media handles/pages pending compliance with the Pre-Action Protocol of this honourable court.”
Given that this ruling precedes the hearing of the substantive suit, the preemptive orders will expire after 21 days.
The judge also granted Falana permission to serve VeryDarkMan with all necessary legal documents through his lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, due to the influencer’s lack of a verifiable physical address.
The court’s decision highlighted the importance of proper service, stating, “This Court agrees with the submission of the Applicant’s Counsel as the purpose of substituted service is to bring to the defendant’s attention that there is a case against him in Court.”
This legal action unfolds against a backdrop of broader investigations sparked by Bobrisky’s allegations.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) have launched inquiries into claims of bribery within their ranks related to Bobrisky’s case. Additionally, the House of Representatives has initiated hearings on the matter.
Bobrisky’s legal troubles began in April 2024 when the EFCC arrested him on charges of money laundering and Naira mutilation. While the money laundering charges were eventually dropped, Federal High Court Judge Abimbola Awogboro sentenced Bobrisky to six months in prison for Naira abuse, intending the sentence to serve as a deterrent to others.
Bobrisky completed his sentence at Kirikiri Correctional Centre from March 24 to August 5, 2024.