The High Court of Justice based in Ikeja, Lagos State, has slammed controversial Social media influencer, Martins Vincent Otse (VeryDarkMan) with N200,000 fine over counsel’s frivolous preliminary objections to the further hearing of the civil case instituted by the Falanas at the court.
Mr Femi Falana SAN and his son, Folarin Falana (Falz) earlier instituted different cases at the Lagos High Court of Justice, seeking redress over what they considered acts of defamation by Mr. Martins Vincent Otse whose controversial video linked the duo to the social media sensation and crossdresser, Bobrisky as well as his corrupt deals to pervert justice.
VeryDarkMan, while being represented by his counsel, Marvin Omorogbe, capitalized on a similar suit pending before another Justice Daodu within the jurisdiction of the court, thereby imploring the court to strike out the suit on the ground that it amounts to overduplicity of cases and abuse of court’s process. He also proceeded to attack the jurisdiction of the court by insisting that the case be transferred to the Federal Capital Territory in Abuja where the Defendant carries out his business as against Lagos. He stated this as the position of the law.
On the matter coming up for ruling on the 20th May, 2025, the Claimant was represented by T. E. Olawanle, Adebayo Oniyelu, Femi Akinyemi, Tokunbo Adeyeye, and Aina Job, while the Defendant was represented by Marvin Omorogbe.
The Preliminary Objection raised by the Defendant was however replied to by the claimant’s counsels by contending that the suit before Justice Daudu sought a pre-emptive remedy which had become spent upon the filing of the substantive suit before the present court.
The Court agreed with the claimant’s position, held that the previous action had been overtaken by events, and accordingly dismissed the first ground of the Preliminary Objection.
On lack of jurisdiction, the Defendant further argued that the Lagos State High Court lacked jurisdiction on the basis that the Defendant resides and carries on business in Abuja, and as such, the appropriate forum should be the Federal Capital Territory.
In opposition, the Claimant’s counsel submitted that in cases of online defamation, jurisdiction lies in the place where the libellous material was accessed or read by the Claimant.
The Court found merit in this argument and dismissed the second ground of the Preliminary Objection.
The Court consequently dismissed the Preliminary Objection in its entirety and awarded costs of ₦200,000 against the Defendant (VDM) in favour of the Claimant.
The matter was adjourned to 8th July 2025 to enable the Defendant to file their Statement of Defence.
The same position was held in the siater’s case of Folarin Falana V Martins Vicent Otse
