A Lagos High Court sitting in Ikeja on Tuesday, April 15, struck out the defamation suit filed by human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) and his son, rapper Folarin Falana (aka Falz), against online commentator Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM).
The lawsuit stemmed from a video posted by VDM on September 24, 2024, in which he alleged that the Falanas received ₦10 million from social media personality Idris Okuneye (aka Bobrisky) to obstruct justice. The father and son had filed separate suits, each seeking ₦500 million in damages.
At Tuesday’s proceedings, neither the Falanas nor the defendant were present in court.
VDM’s legal representative, Niyi Alagbe—appearing on behalf of Marvin Omorogbe—informed the court of an earlier application for a stay of proceedings filed before Justice Fimisola Azeez. Counsel for the Falanas, Omotayo Olatunbosun, confirmed receiving the application late Monday but argued that the court should proceed with the preliminary objection hearing, describing the application as a delay tactic.
Justice Matthias Dawodu, however, noted that the application was not included in the court file and questioned why the case was before him when the substantive suit was already assigned to another judge.
Describing further proceedings as merely academic, Justice Dawodu ruled to strike out the suit.
“Consequently, this suit is hereby struck out,” he declared.
