An Ikeja High Court has struck out the high-profile defamation suit filed against controversial Instagram personality Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkBlackMan (VDM).
The suit was brought against him by renowned human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) and his son, popular rapper and activist Folarin Falana, aka Falz, over a video VDM posted online, which was said to be linked to an audio recording by crossdresser Bobrisky, alleging perversion of justice by the Falanas.
The plaintiffs were demanding ₦500 million each in damages from VDM for alleged defamation.
However, during proceedings on Tuesday, all principal parties — the Falanas and VDM — were absent from court.
VDM’s counsel, Mr. Niyi Alagbe, appearing on behalf of Mr. Marvin Omorogbe, informed the court that an application for a stay of proceedings had been filed before Justice Fimisola Azeez, who is handling the substantive suit.
In response, the Falanas’ counsel, Mr. Omotayo Olatunbosun, acknowledged receiving the application a day prior but insisted that the court should proceed with hearing a preliminary objection, which was already ripe for determination.
Presiding judge, Justice Matthias Dawodu, expressed concern that the application was not in his file and questioned why the matter had been brought before him, given that the main suit was already before another judge.
“Insistence on going ahead with the suit would be an academic exercise since the substantive suit is before another judge,” Dawodu said.
He then struck out the case, bringing a pause to the legal battle over the viral video.
“Consequently, this suit is hereby struck out,” Justice Dawodu ruled.
The development has sparked mixed reactions online, with many of VDM’s followers celebrating the outcome, while legal observers await the next steps in the substantive suit pending before Justice Azeez.
