Social media influencer Vincent Otse, also known as Very Dark Man (VDM), arrived at the Lagos High Court in Ikeja around 9:30 a.m. on Thursday for the hearing of a defamation lawsuit filed against him by Senior Advocate of Nigeria Femi Falana and his son, Folarin, better known as Falz.
VDM appeared in court wearing a red native outfit, accompanied by fans who cheered him on, though the Falanas were absent.
The hearing could not proceed as scheduled due to the fact that most of the applications filed by both parties were not yet included in the court file.
As a result, the court adjourned the case to January 23rd.
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On October 14, Justice Matthias Dawodu had ruled on an ex parte application filed by the Falanas, granting an interim order for protection from slander. The court held that the Falanas had a legal right to defend their reputation.
The judge also ordered VDM to remove the alleged defamatory video he posted on September 24, in which he accused the senior lawyer and his son of receiving N10 million from controversial figure Idris Okuneye (aka Bobrisky) to influence the course of justice.
Furthermore, Justice Dawodu issued a restraining order, barring VDM from publishing or circulating any defamatory content against the Falanas on his social media platforms until the case is heard in full. The court also directed that all legal documents in the case be served on VDM through his lawyer, Deji Adeyanju.
The Falanas are seeking N500 million in damages each, claiming that the defamatory video, which remains widely circulated online, has caused ongoing harm to their reputations. They allege that VDM made the accusations knowing they were unverified and false, yet proceeded to publish them recklessly.
In his defense, VDM has applied to the court for permission to appeal the ruling, arguing that a refusal would lead to a miscarriage of justice, given the significant legal issues involved.
He stated, “A refusal to grant leave may result in the enforcement of a decision that does not reflect a correct application of the law, leading to outcomes that may be detrimental not only to the parties involved but also to the administration of justice as a whole.
“The appellate court’s role in clarifying and, where necessary, correcting trial court decisions is vital in maintaining the integrity of the judicial system.”
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