False reports of a ₦500 million fine against VeryDarkMan for defamation went viral today, but lawyers Deji Adeyanju and Timi Agbaje quickly debunked the claims
A false news report made rounds today, claiming that Nigerian content creator, VeryDarkMan, had been fined ₦500 million for defamation. The story spread quickly across platforms like Vanguard, Instablog9ja, and others, causing a stir online. However, prominent lawyers, including Deji Adeyanju and Timi Agbaje, were quick to dismiss the story as fabricated.
Setting the Record Straight
Shortly after the fake news surfaced, Comrade Deji Adeyanju took to X (formerly Twitter) to clear the air, stating:
Deji Adeyanju (@adeyanjudeji)
"Fake news aimed at prejudicing the mind of the court. Fine for what?"
Similarly, lawyer Timi Agbaje responded on X, clarifying that the court had not issued any fine, and the matter was far from being concluded:
Timi Agbaje (@timiagbaje_)
"This is fake news @instablog9ja. The court has not done trial on the matter, so no fine has been stated. The court only gave an order for substituted service (VeryDarkMan to be served through his lawyer), and he should remove the 'defamatory' videos from his social media and also refrain from posting further defamatory content about the Falanas."
Following these clarifications, the platforms that had initially spread the false report quickly deleted the news.
What Really Happened in Court?
The real court proceedings, which took place in Ikeja High Court, Lagos, centered around an injunction ordering VeryDarkMan to cease circulating or posting defamatory content regarding Femi Falana, SAN, and his son, Folarin Falana (popularly known as Falz). The court instructed that VeryDarkMan remove previous defamatory posts and videos concerning the Falanas from all his social media platforms.
The lawsuit stems from a video posted on September 24, in which VeryDarkMan accused the father and son duo of using their legal influence to shield Bobrisky, a Nigerian cross-dresser, from a money-laundering case. In the video, VeryDarkMan alleged:
"In everything and everyone mentioned here, I’ll be disappointed if it’s true that FALZ and his father are involved in this whole Bobrisky issue... Falz the bad guy contacted Bobrisky and contacted his father. Femi Falana spoke to Bobrisky in order to divert justice."
The accusations were based on an alleged leaked audio recording in which Bobrisky supposedly claimed to have paid ₦15 million in bribes to authorities to drop the charges against him. Bobrisky has since denied the claims, asserting that the voice in the audio is not his.
Court Orders and Next Steps
Presiding over the case, Justice Mahmud Dawodu ordered that all defamatory posts be taken down by VeryDarkMan until the pre-action protocols of the court are completed. Furthermore, the court granted permission for Femi Falana’s legal team to serve documents related to the case through Deji Adeyanju, VeryDarkMan’s lawyer.
The court clarified that, while VeryDarkMan portrays himself as an “Online Police,” the platform in question does not reflect activism or factual content. The court noted that the defendant has a strong online presence but lacks a verifiable physical address.
Conclusion
While the fake news about a ₦500 million fine caused an uproar, the facts remain clear: no fine has been issued, and the case is still ongoing. The court’s primary concern at this stage is ensuring the removal of defamatory content. As the legal battle continues, both sides will prepare for further court proceedings, with Nigerians keeping a close eye on this unfolding saga.
This situation serves as a reminder of the dangers of spreading misinformation, particularly on sensitive legal matters. As it stands, the courts have not passed any verdict on the defamation case, and all eyes will remain on future developments.