Court dismisses VDM’s objection to N1bn Falana defamation suit

Court dismisses VDM’s objection to N1bn Falana defamation suit

Justice Fimisola Azeez of an Ikeja High Court has dismissed the preliminary objection application filed by a social media celebrity, Mr Martins Vincent Otse (a. k. a. Very Dark Man, VDM) against the N1 billion defamation suit by human rights lawyer, Mr Femi Falana (SAN), and his son, Folarin( aka Falz).

Ruling yesterday on the preliminary objection application, Justice Azeez ordered VDM to pay N100,000 each to Falana and his son.

Falana and son had accused VDM of character defamation in the defendant’s video publication of last September 24, on his Instagram.

The trial judge also directed the defendant to file his defence to the two suits brought against him by the claimants.

During proceedings yesterday, Falana who was absent in court was represented by his counsels, Ernest Olawanle and Femi Akinyemi, while the second claimant was in court.

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VDM, who was absent, was represented by his counsel, Mr. Marvin Omorogbe.

The claimants, Falana and Folarin in the two suits had dragged the social media influencer to court accusing him of character assassination.

They asked the social media influencer to pay N500,000 each, for defamation of character in the defendant’s video.

They prayed for an order of perpetual injunction restraining the defendant, his agents or servants or otherwise from further publishing or causing to be published the said or similar words defamatory to the claimants.

The defendant,VDM) had filed a preliminary objection praying the court for an order dismissing the suits filed by both Femi and Folarin Falana for want of jurisdiction.

Justice Azeez adjourned the matter for mention as well as to enable the defendant to file his defence.

Court dismisses VDM’s objection to N1bn Falana defamation suit