The Lagos High Court in Ikeja has ordered social media influencer Martins Otse, popularly known as Verydarkman, to remove a defamatory video he posted on 24th September. The video targeted Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Femi Falana, and his son, musician Folarin Falana, better known as Falz.

Justice Matthias Dawodu ruled on Tuesday that Verydarkman must also cease any further defamatory publications against the Falanas on his social media platforms pending the outcome of the lawsuit.

The judge directed that all legal documents be served to Verydarkman through his lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, and noted that the order would expire after 21 days.

Femi and Folarin Falana had separately sued Otse, seeking ₦500 million each in damages. They accused him of publishing unverified claims, alleging they had received ₦10 million from Idris Okuneye, aka Bobrisky, to obstruct justice.

The plaintiffs argued that the influencer knew his statements were false, but still broadcasted them to harm their reputation. The video remains on Verydarkman’s platforms, continuing to damage their reputations as long as it remains online.

The Falanas’ legal counsel stated that Otse had failed to verify his claims before publishing the video.

Justice Dawodu upheld the applicants’ rights to be protected from defamation, granting the interim order against further defamatory publications and demanding the removal of the September video.