Alleged Defamation: Court Adjourns Falana’s Suit against Online Activist to January 23
Wale Igbintade
An Ikeja High Court yesterday reserved January 23, 2025, for the hearing of a defamation suit filed against controversial online activist Vincent Otse, widely known as VeryDarkMan (VDM).
The defamation claim was brought forward by prominent Nigerian lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), and his son, popular musician and lawyer, Folarin Falana, known as Falz.
During yesterday’s proceedings, Mr. Muiz Banire (SAN), counsel for the claimants, informed the court that the originating process had been filed and served to all parties involved.
Banire also noted that a motion on notice was served on October 25. However, Justice Matthias Dawodu observed that the originating process was not properly before the court.
He requested the court adjourn the matter to allow the claimants’ legal team to file the necessary administrative processes.
“In this circumstance, my lord, the best thing to do is to adjourn the matter so we can go back to the registry to file all the administrative processes,” he said.
In response, VDM’s counsel, Mr. Marvin Omorogbe, pointed out the absence of a valid writ of summons before the court.
He urged the judge to strike out the lawsuit, stating that the writ filed was invalid as it was not before the court.
Omorogbe further explained that the writ shared the same suit number as the preemptive remedy proceedings, which had already concluded.
The defense counsel contended that a fresh writ with a new suit number was required, in line with the court’s earlier directive.
Omorogbe also requested the withdrawal of a motion dated October 18, which was part of an appeal related to the preemptive proceedings.
Justice Dawodu, after hearing both sides, struck out the motion without objections from the claimants’ counsel.
He then adjourned the case to January 23, 2025, for the hearing of the preliminary objections, emphasizing that the court was currently dealing with an invalid writ.
The case, which centres on allegations of defamation, will continue at the next hearing.
