Falana vs. VDM: Court Shuts Down ₦1bn Defamation Case – Here’s Why!

 A Lagos State High Court in Ikeja struck out a defamation lawsuit filed by human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) and his son, musician Folarin Falana, known as Falz, against social media influencer Martins Otse, popularly called VeryDarkMan (VDM), on Tuesday. 

The court, presided over by Justice Mathias Dawodu, dismissed the preliminary objection in the ₦1 billion suit after discovering the substantive case was already before another judge, rendering further proceedings redundant, per court records.

The legal battle began in September 2024 when VDM posted a video alleging Falana demanded ₦10 million from crossdresser Idris Okuneye (Bobrisky) to influence a legal case, with Falz implicated in related claims. The Falanas sought ₦500 million each in damages, arguing the unverified statements harmed their reputation. Neither party attended Tuesday’s hearing, but VDM’s counsel, Niyi Alagbe, cited a pending application before Justice Fimisola Azeez, while Falana’s lawyer, Omotayo Olatunbosun, urged the court to proceed, per Channels TV. Justice Dawodu, noting the case’s duplication, struck it out, avoiding an “academic exercise.”

The saga, which sparked a House of Representatives probe into prison bribery allegations, has divided opinions. Posts on X show some praising VDM’s boldness, while others back the Falanas’ call for accountability, though these remain inconclusive. The ruling closes a chapter in a high-profile clash, with no damages awarded, but legal analysts suggest VDM’s team may face scrutiny in the parallel case, set for January 23, 2025, per Blueprint.