Controversial social media figure Martins Otse, also known as VeryDarkMan, has filed a request with the Lagos State High Court to appeal a ruling from October 14, 2024, issued by Justice M.O. Dawodu.
News About Nigeria reported that the decision favoured human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) and his son, artist Folarin Falana, popularly known as Falz, in an ongoing defamation case.
Falana and Falz had initially taken legal action against VeryDarkMan, alleging that he posted defamatory content about them related to a recorded conversation with social media personality Idris Okuneye, also known as Bobrisky.
The content allegedly implied that Falz had helped secure a presidential pardon for Bobrisky, who previously faced legal issues.
A letter dated September 26, 2024, posted by Falz on Instagram and signed by lawyer Taiwo Olawanle, addressed the social media post, where VeryDarkMan claimed that Falz facilitated financial and legal support for Bobrisky.
The documents in the case suggest that Bobrisky had requested N3 million from Falz to secure VIP treatment while in detention.
In her October 14 ruling, Justice Dawodu ordered VeryDarkMan to delete all defamatory content involving the Falanas from his social media and prohibited him from making further defamatory posts about them.
In response, VeryDarkMan has filed two motions, marked ID/8584/GCM/2024 and ID/8586/GCM/2024, seeking permission to appeal the ruling.
The motions, dated October 18, argue that the court’s decision was based solely on the Falanas’ affidavit.
VeryDarkMan said that the appeal process is critical to address legal questions, adding that denying the appeal could result in a “miscarriage of justice” and affect judicial integrity.
A supporting affidavit by legal practitioner Oladimeji Joseph notes that VeryDarkMan must obtain court approval to appeal and that the 14-day deadline to file is approaching.
The affidavit further stated that the court’s discretion in granting or denying the appeal should consider broader implications for justice and the judicial system.
The court has yet to issue a response to VeryDarkMan’s application for appeal approval.
