In a significant legal ruling on October 15, 2024, Nigerian online critic Vincent Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, has been ordered by a court to pay N500 million to renowned human rights lawyer Femi Falana.
The court also instructed VeryDarkMan to delete all videos related to Falana and to refrain from any further postings about him.
The legal battle began after VeryDarkMan accused Falana and his son, rapper Folarin ‘Falz’ Falana, of bribery on social media, targeting the controversial figure Idris Okuneye, also known as Bobrisky.
This prompted the Falanas to promise legal action against VeryDarkMan, leading to the recent court proceedings.
The ruling has sparked varied reactions across Nigeria, with some individuals expressing satisfaction at the court’s decision as a victory for justice, while others criticize it as an attempt to suppress free speech.
The case highlights the ongoing tensions in Nigeria’s online discourse and the legal ramifications of public commentary in the digital age.