By Faith Adama
The high-profile defamation case brought by renowned Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Femi Falana against Social Media Activist, “Very Dark Man” has been adjourned to January 23, 2025.
The case, which draws attention to issues of freedom of expression and the boundaries of lawful speech online, has sparked significant public interest.
Falana, represented by his legal team, claims the activist’s posts crossed the line from opinion into defamation and incitement.
The activist, known for his outspoken criticisms of political figures and government policies, argued that his posts fall under the constitutional protection of free speech and represent legitimate expressions of opinion.
Very Dark Man arrived at the court with visible support from his followers and later posted a video on X (formerly Twitter), proclaiming, “We no lose o, we no lose,” while celebrating outside the courthouse.
The case also brings Falana’s son, Popular Entertainer and Activist Falz, into the spotlight, as his advocacy work around free speech and governance aligns with the issues central to the case.
With the next hearing set for January 2025, the case is expected to further examine the balance between freedom of expression and defamation in Nigeria’s legal landscape, highlighting the growing importance of regulating speech in the digital age.