An Ikeja High Court has set January 23, 2025, for the hearing of a defamation lawsuit filed by renowned Nigerian lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) and his son, musician and lawyer Folarin Falana, popularly known as Falz. The suit targets controversial online activist Vincent Otse, widely recognized by his alias, Very Dark Man (VDM).
During Thursday’s proceedings, counsel for the claimants, Mr. Muiz Banire (SAN), informed the court that the originating process for the lawsuit had been filed and served on all parties. Banire also highlighted a motion on notice submitted on October 25, 2024. However, Justice Matthias Dawodu noted procedural errors, stating that the originating process was not properly before the court.
Banire, on behalf of the claimants, requested an adjournment to address the procedural lapses by re-filing the necessary administrative documents. “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.
Representing VDM, defense counsel Mr. Marvin Omorogbe opposed the adjournment, pointing out the absence of a valid writ of summons before the court. He argued that the writ presented was invalid as it bore the same suit number as earlier concluded preemptive proceedings and emphasized that a fresh writ with a new suit number was required in line with court directives.
Omorogbe further called for the withdrawal of a motion dated October 18, tied to an appeal in the concluded preemptive proceedings. Justice Dawodu, after reviewing submissions from both sides, struck out the motion without objections from the claimants’ counsel.
The judge reiterated that the current writ was procedurally invalid and adjourned the case to January 23, 2025, for hearing preliminary objections.
The defamation case, rooted in allegations made by VDM against the claimants, remains a topic of public interest as both sides prepare for the next hearing.
