The Lagos High Court in Ikeja has adjourned the defamation suit filed by renowned human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) and his son, Falz against VeryDarkMan

Justice Matthias Dawodu fixed February 19, 2025, to hear a preliminary objection filed by VDM’s lawyer, Marvin Omorogbe, challenging the competence of the suit and the court’s jurisdiction to entertain the case.
Though the Falanas and VDM were absent, their legal teams represented them in court. Omorogbe informed the court that he had been served a counter-affidavit by the Falanas’ legal counsel, Omotade Omotunbosun, and requested additional time to respond. The application was unopposed, leading to the adjournment.

The Falanas are demanding ₦500 million each in damages over a video posted by VDM, alleging that the senior lawyer and his son collected ₦10 million from Idris Okuneye (Bobrisky) to manipulate justice.

On October 14, 2024, Justice Dawodu ordered VDM to take down the alleged defamatory video and restrained him from further publishing similar content pending the hearing of the suit. The court also allowed the service of all court processes on VDM through his lawyer, Deji Adeyanju.

In a preliminary objection, VDM argued that the Lagos court lacks territorial jurisdiction as he resides and operates in Abuja, where the alleged publication was also made. He claimed the suit was filed in Lagos as part of forum shopping for a favorable judgment.

The Falanas insist the video contained unverified allegations that injured their reputations, noting that the publication remains online and continues to harm them. They also refuted claims made in the video, stating that Bobrisky never mentioned paying ₦10 million to them in the referenced audio recording.