VeryDarkMan, the controversial activist, has insisted that he did not defame human rights lawyer Femi Falana and his son Falz.
The social media influencer, born Martins Otse, recently shared a purported audio conversation wherein the crossdresser Bobrisky alleged Falana and Falz contacted her while she was serving a six-month sentence for naira abuse.
In the recording, Bobrisky claimed the Falana family “tried to get me a presidential pardon in exchange for N10 million”.
However, the crossdresser denied the recording’s authenticity and threatened to sue VeryDarkMan for alleged defamation.
The Falana family also demanded a retraction and apology, threatening legal action.
The activist, however, refused to apologise, arguing that he exposed corruption and did not defame anyone, prompting Falana to proceed with the legal action.
Matthias Dawodu, the presiding judge, had ordered the self-proclaimed social media police to delete “defamatory comments and videos” concerning Falz and Falana from all his social media pages.
The judge also ordered the activist to desist from further releasing, publishing, or circulating any defamatory videos and comments against the Falana family.
In response, VeryDarkMan filed two separate motions with the court, requesting an extension of time to secure permission to appeal the ruling.
In the motion, based on seven grounds and dated October 18, VeryDarkMan argued that the court order relied solely on the respondent’s affidavit. He said refusing his “request would constitute legal injustice”.
On Wednesday, VeryDarkMan took to his Instagram page to reveal that he has arrived in Lagos with Deji Adeyanju, his lawyer, for the hearing of the lawsuit filed against him.
VDM disclosed that the hearing of the defamation lawsuit will begin by 9:00am at the Ikeja high court.
The activist stressed that he won’t apologise to Falana and Falz over claim of defamation, arguing that he only exposed corruption.
“I just arrived in Lagos for the Femi Falana case against me, scheduled for tomorrow (Thursday) at the Ikeja High Court by 9:00 AM,” he said in a video.
“I came to Lagos ahead of that. As you all know, they (Falana and Falz) said I defamed them, but for me, it’s corruption I exposed. I see things that don’t make sense, like someone going to prison and not serving their jail term or the EFCC, which is supposed to catch people involved in corruption, collecting money.
“That’s what I exposed. But sadly, some people (Falana and Falz) whose names were mentioned said I should have informed them before posting such things about them.
“They (Falana and Falz) asked me to apologise. I don’t see anything wrong with what I did, so I’m not apologising to anybody. If someone’s name is mentioned, they should clear their name.”
