Falana, Falz’s N1bn Lawsuit Against VeryDarkMan Struck Out in Court

Court Tosses Out Falana, Falz’s N1bn Defamation Suit Against VeryDarkMan

The N1 billion defamation suit filed by renowned human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) and his son, musician Folarin Falana, popularly known as Falz, against controversial social media personality Vincent Otse, alias VeryDarkMan, has been struck out by the Lagos State High Court in Ikeja.

Justice Mathias Dawoodu dismissed the suit on Tuesday after discovering that the same case was already being heard in another court. This development rendered any further proceedings before him pointless.

Neither Falana nor Otse showed up in court for the hearing. However, N.O. Alagbe, who replaced main counsel Marvin Omorogbe, represented Otse’s legal team. On April 14, 2025, Alagbe told the court that they had submitted an application to halt the ongoing proceedings. The application was made in order to give Justice Azeez, another judge, the opportunity to wrap up a related case that involved the same accusations of defamation.

Evidently irritated, Justice Dawoodu asked why the case was brought before his court when it was already pending elsewhere.

The judge remarked sharply, Why should he be bothered if the substantive suit is already before another court? He added that his court had not yet received the application the defense cited, which further undermined the foundation for moving forward with the case.

Falana’s lawyer, Omotayo Olatunbosun, tried to push the matter forward. He argued that he only received notice of the defence application at 4:15 p.m. the day before—far too late to disrupt a hearing that had already been scheduled. Olatunbosun accused the defence of using delay tactics to frustrate the case. He cited a Supreme Court ruling which stated that a court is not obligated to act on an application that isn’t formally in its records.

He pleaded with the judge to ignore the distraction and proceed with hearing the case as planned.

But Justice Dawoodu didn’t budge. He concluded that since another court was already dealing with the matter, continuing on his end would amount to judicial redundancy.

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

The decision temporarily halts what had become one of the most talked-about court battles between public figures on social media and the legal establishment.

The lawsuit stemmed from a video posted by Otse (VeryDarkMan) where he accused Femi Falana of demanding a N10 million bribe from Idris Okuneye, better known as Bobrisky. According to Otse, the money was allegedly to be used to influence the course of justice in Bobrisky’s favour. The Falanas in particular were outraged by the accusation and quickly filed a N1 billion lawsuit, claiming N500 million in damages for defamation of character. The case served as a prime illustration of the growing conflict between established public leaders and contemporary influencers who use internet platforms to make charges, sometimes without supporting proof, sometimes to gain influence, and sometimes to upend tables they aren’t ready to steady. VeryDarkMan has frequently courted controversy with his incendiary films and uncensored remarks on social topics and celebrities. He was up against one of Nigeria’s most renowned legal figures and his activist-musician son in what was arguably the largest legal dispute he has ever entered.

While the suit has now been struck out in Dawoodu’s court, it is far from over. With the case still active in another court under Justice Azeez, the Falanas appear ready to press forward. They want Otse to face consequences for what they see as a damaging and dangerous lie.

According to legal experts, even though the case was struck out here, it was not dismissed with prejudice, so the Falanas are still able to pursue the lawsuit in the original court. Ultimately, this case serves as a warning that although social media provides a platform for free speech, it also has accountability and legal ramifications. Even online, words can cost millions — and even a freedom fighter or digital rebel like VeryDarkMan isn’t above the law.

If Justice Azeez rules in favor of the Falanas in the parallel case, it could set a major precedent — not just for internet defamation in Nigeria, but for how far influencers can go before the courtroom starts calling.