Nigerian rapper and activist Falz, whose full name is Folarin Falana, has recently been embroiled in a legal dispute with social media activist Martin Otse, better known as VeryDarkMan (VDM). The feud began when VeryDarkMan shared a controversial audio recording allegedly involving Nigerian socialite Bobrisky, who claimed that Falz and his father, prominent lawyer Femi Falana, offered assistance in securing a federal pardon for Bobrisky in exchange for a substantial bribe.
Falz, outraged by the allegations, responded firmly, asserting that these claims were baseless and defamatory. In an official response, Falz’s legal team demanded that VeryDarkMan retract the statements and issue a public apology. Falz clarified that while he was approached by Bobrisky for assistance with prison accommodations, he only offered advice, not any form of intervention as claimed.
The issue quickly escalated as Falz took legal action to protect his and his family’s reputation. On October 9, 2024, a Lagos High Court ruled in favour of Falz and Femi Falana, instructing VeryDarkMan to remove all defamatory posts about them from his social media accounts. In addition, the court imposed a significant penalty of N500 million to be paid to the Falanas, citing the damage caused to their public image due to VeryDarkMan’s allegations. The court ordered that these posts be deleted within 21 days and prohibited further defamatory statements by VeryDarkMan and his associates during this period.
This case highlights the tension between free speech and accountability in Nigeria’s digital landscape. While VeryDarkMan has argued that his intention was to reveal misconduct, the court found his actions to be injurious to the Falanas’ reputations. As more details unfold, this case serves as a cautionary tale about verifying information before sharing it publicly.
Ultimately, the outcome of this high-profile legal battle will likely impact how defamation is viewed on Nigerian social media. For Falz, the case is about upholding his family’s integrity, while for VeryDarkMan, it has opened a dialogue on the boundaries of social media activism and responsibility.
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