Lagos High Court Strikes Out Falana & Falz’s Defamation Suit Against VeryDarkMan

The Falanas had each sued VDM for ₦500 million, following his September 24, 2024 social media post alleging they collected ₦10 million from Bobrisky (Idris Okuneye) to pervert justice.

On Tuesday, April 15, the Lagos High Court sitting in Ikeja struck out the defamation suits filed by renowned lawyer Femi Falana SAN and his son, rapper and activist Falz (Folarin Falana), against social media personality Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM).

The Falanas had each sued VDM for ₦500 million, following his September 24, 2024 social media post alleging they collected ₦10 million from Bobrisky (Idris Okuneye) to pervert justice.

However, neither the claimants nor the defendant were present in court. VDM’s counsel, Niyi Alagbe, informed the court about a pending application for a stay of proceedings before Justice Fimisola Azeez.

The Falanas’ lawyer, Omotayo Olatunbosun, argued for the court to proceed with the day’s business, insisting the preliminary objection was ripe for hearing.

Justice Matthias Dawodu, however, struck out the matter, noting that the substantive suit was before another judge and continuing the present case would be merely academic.

“Consequently, this suit is hereby struck out,” the judge ruled.