A Lagos High Court has dismissed the preliminary objections filed by social media personality Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), in the ongoing N1 billion defamation lawsuit filed by human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) and his son, musician and activist Folarin Falana, known as Falz.
The ruling came on Tuesday, May 21, 2025, at the Ikeja Division of the Lagos State High Court. Justice F.A. Azeez, presiding over the matter, not only rejected VDM’s legal challenge but also imposed a penalty of N100,000 each in favour of both Femi and Folarin Falana—amounting to a total cost of N200,000.
VDM had submitted preliminary objections, arguing that the alleged defamatory statements were made outside the court’s territorial jurisdiction. However, the Falana legal team countered this claim with a written response and affidavit, urging the court to dismiss the objections for lacking merit.
After examining both arguments, Justice Azeez sided with the Falanas and struck out VDM’s objections. The judge also instructed the defendant to immediately file his response to the main defamation claim so that the case can proceed.
Femi Falana was not present in court but was represented by his legal counsel, Ernest Olawanle and Femi Akinyemi. His son, Falz, attended the session in person. VDM was represented by his lawyer, Marvin Omorogbe.
The Falanas are suing VDM over a video he shared on Instagram on September 24, 2024. The video touched on the case of popular crossdresser Idris Okuneye, also known as Bobrisky, who had recently served a prison sentence related to currency abuse.
The Falanas claim that the video contained false and damaging remarks about them.
According to their suits, each of the claimants is seeking N500 million in damages, adding up to a total of N1 billion. They are also asking the court to stop VDM from making further similar posts and to compel him to publish a public apology on all his social media platforms and in a national newspaper.
This latest court development follows an earlier case in April 2025. At that time, Justice Mathias Dawodu had struck out a separate lawsuit filed by the Falanas. That suit was a preventive step meant to handle possible legal hurdles in the main defamation matter. Justice Dawodu ruled that it was no longer necessary, since the main case was already being heard by Justice Azeez.
VDM had also filed a motion for a stay of proceedings in that earlier suit, arguing that there was a duplication of legal actions. But that effort was also dismissed by the court, which described it as a misuse of court time.
The defamation suit will now proceed under Justice Azeez’s supervision in Ikeja, where VDM is expected to submit his full legal defence.
