The Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed the preliminary objection and application for stay of proceedings filed by social media personality Martins Otse Vincent, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), in two ongoing defamation suits involving human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) and his son, the musician and actor Folarin Falana, also known as Falz.
During Tuesday’s hearing, the court addressed VDM’s preliminary objection, which he filed after eventually complying with the originating motion.
He had alleged that there were multiple legal actions over the same issue.
However, the court noted that it had already become functus officio—meaning it had concluded its role in the matter—as the case had moved to another court.
It emphasized that continuing proceedings at that point would amount to “an academic exercise”.
Consequently, the judge struck out the objection.
Additionally, SaharaReporters learned that VDM submitted a fresh application on Monday, April 14, 2025, seeking a stay of proceedings.
A source familiar with the matter confirmed that “The above is also applicable in the sister case between Femi Falana, SAN, and Martins Otse (VDM).”
The legal battle traces back to 2024, when SaharaReporters first revealed that both Femi and Folarin Falana filed separate suits against VDM, each demanding N500 million in damages.
The suits arose from a video the influencer posted on his social media platforms, where he claimed that the Falanas received N10 million from Idris Okuneye, aka Bobrisky, in a bid to obstruct justice.
In their submissions, the Falanas argued that the video amounted to defamation, accusing VDM of publishing the content without verifying the facts.
They maintained that “VeryDarkMan knew all his comments were unverified and untrue, yet he published them recklessly to injure their reputation.”
