VeryDarkMan to Appeal Court Ruling in Falana, Falz Defamation Case

VeryDarkMan to Appeal Court Ruling in Falana, Falz Defamation Case

Controversial social media commentator Martins Otse, known as VeryDarkMan, has filed a request with the Lagos State High Court to appeal a ruling issued on October 14, 2024, by Justice M.O. Dawodu. The ruling favored human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) and his son, Folarin Falana, also known as Falz, in a defamation lawsuit.

Falana and Falz initiated the legal action against VeryDarkMan for allegedly defamatory remarks made during a recorded conversation involving cross-dresser Idris Okuneye, known as Bobrisky. The suit addresses claims regarding financial support and legal aid sought by Bobrisky during his detention for financial misconduct.

In a letter dated September 26, 2024, signed by Taiwo Olawanle and shared on Falz’s Instagram, Falana’s legal team informed VeryDarkMan of the claims that he had accused Falz of attempting to obtain a presidential pardon for Bobrisky amid ongoing legal issues.

In the October 14 ruling, Justice Dawodu ordered VeryDarkMan and his associates to remove defamatory content about the Falanas, which had been posted on September 24, 2024, from all social media platforms. The court also prohibited any further defamatory publications.

VeryDarkMan has since filed two motions seeking permission to extend the time to appeal the ruling, marked ID/8584/GCM/2024 (involving Falz) and ID/8586/GCM/2024 (involving Femi Falana). He argues that the ruling was based solely on the affidavit presented by the respondents.

He contends that since the order is interlocutory, he requires the court’s permission to exercise his right to appeal and emphasizes the importance of judicial discretion in such matters. VeryDarkMan asserts that denying his request could lead to a miscarriage of justice and hinder the proper application of the law.

An affidavit from legal practitioner Oladimeji Joseph stated the necessity for leave from the court before an appeal can be filed, noting that VeryDarkMan has 14 days from the ruling to seek this permission. Joseph urged the court to grant the request.