A Lagos High Court sitting in Ikeja has dismissed the preliminary objections filed by social media influencer Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), in the ₦1 billion defamation suit brought against him by human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) and his son, musician and activist Folarin Falana, popularly known as Falz.
Justice F.A. Azeez, who presided over the matter on Tuesday, ruled against the objections in the two separate suits filed by the father and son. The court also awarded ₦100,000 in costs to each claimant, totalling ₦200,000 to be paid by VDM.
Justice Azeez further ordered the influencer to file his defence to the substantive defamation claims without delay.
While Falana was represented in court by his lawyers, Ernest Olawanle and Femi Akinyemi, Falz appeared in person. VDM was represented by his counsel, Marvin Omorogbe.
The lawsuit stems from a video posted by VDM on September 24, 2024, via his Instagram handle @verydarkblackman, in which he commented on issues surrounding controversial cross-dresser Idris Okuneye, aka Bobrisky, who was convicted for naira abuse.
The Falanas allege that the video contains false and defamatory statements that damaged their reputations. Each is seeking ₦500 million in damages—₦1 billion in total—as well as a perpetual injunction restraining VDM from further defamatory publications. They are also requesting a public apology across his social media platforms and in a national newspaper.
VDM had challenged the court’s jurisdiction, claiming the alleged defamation occurred outside Lagos. However, the claimants filed a counter-affidavit and legal brief urging the court to dismiss the objection, which Justice Azeez upheld after considering submissions from both sides.
The matter has been adjourned to allow VDM to file his defence.
This ruling follows an earlier development on April 15, 2025, when Justice Mathias Dawodu of another Lagos High Court struck out a preemptive suit filed by the Falanas to avoid procedural issues. Justice Dawodu held that the case had become academic since the main suit was already before Justice Azeez, and he criticised it as a waste of judicial time.
The defamation trial is expected to continue before Justice Azeez at the Ikeja Division of the Lagos State High Court.
