Bobrisky: Court orders Verydarkman to remove defamatory posts on Falana, Falz

The Lagos State High Court has ordered controversial social media critic Martin Otse, widely known as VeryDarkMan, to remove defamatory comments and videos regarding lawyer and human rights activist Femi Falana (SAN) and his son, Folarin Falana (Falz).

Justice M.O. Dawodu delivered the ruling in suit no: ID/8584/GCM/2024 on Monday.

The court found that the publications made by VeryDarkMan on his social media accounts on September 24, 2024, which linked crossdresser Bobrisky to Falz and his father, were defamatory and damaging to their public image.

In a Certified True Copy, Justice Dawodu stated, “According to the applicants (Falz and Falana), the defendant (VeryDarkMan) knew these statements (Bobrisky’s claims) were false and untrue but proceeded to publish them to injure their reputation

“Furthermore, the defamatory statements are still trending on the defendant’s several online platforms, and the injury to their reputation continues as long as the publication remains online.

“The actions of the defendant have necessitated the applicants to file this ex-parte application for pre-emptive remedies to prevent further acts of mischief that damages may not remedy, should the court find in favour of the applicants.”

He further ruled, “The defendant, his agents, and privies are hereby restrained from further releasing, publishing, or circulating any defamatory videos or comments about the applicants and must remove the defamatory video or comments about the applicants published on September 24, 2024, on all his online social media handles/pages pending compliance with the Pre-Action Protocol of this honourable court.

“Leave is hereby granted to the applicants to serve the Pre-Action Bundles, Originating Processes, and all other court processes between the parties herein on the defendant by substituted means through his lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, Esq., of Deji Adeyanju & Partners at Terrace Block D4, White Diamond Estate, Makuru Street, Of Embu Street, Of Aminu, Wuse I, Abuja.

The applicants must file and serve the Pre-Action Bundles, Originating Processes, and other accompanying processes on the defendant within 14 days from today. The order shall lapse after 21 days from today.”

Falz previously demanded a retraction of the defamatory statements made against him and his father, which stemmed from a recorded conversation involving Idris Okuneye, also known as Bobrisky.

The conversation, released by VeryDarkMan, discussed financial assistance and legal intervention concerning Bobrisky’s legal troubles, particularly regarding his alleged request for N3 million to secure special treatment during his detention.

In a letter dated September 26, 2024, and signed by Taiwo E. Olawanle, Esq., Falana’s legal team addressed VeryDarkMan, who insinuated Falz’s involvement in a scheme to secure a presidential pardon for Bobrisky.

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