Justice Matthias Dawodu of the Lagos State High Court on Thursday adjourned the defamation suit filed by human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) and his son Folarin, popularly known as Falz, against Martins Otse also known as Verydarkblackman, to February 19.
Justice Dawodu fixed the date to hear a preliminary objection filed by Verydarkblackman’s lawyer Marvin Omorogbe challenged the suit’s competence and the court’s jurisdiction to hear the case.
The Falanas had dragged VeryDarkMan before the court demanding N500 million each as damages over a video he posted on his social media platforms alleging that they collected N10 million from Idris Okuneye, a.k.a Bobrisky, to pervert the cause of justice.
Justice Dawodu had, on October 14, 2024, ordered the social media influencer to bring down the defamatory video and comments he allegedly made against the senior lawyer and his son.
The judge had also restrained the self-acclaimed social media police from further releasing, publishing, or circulating any defamatory videos and comments against the senior lawyer and his son on all his online social media handles and pages pending the hearing of the suit filed by the duo.
At the resumed hearing of the matter on Thursday, Omorogbe informed the court that he was served with a copy of the counter affidavit filed by the plaintiffs against his preliminary objection on Wednesday, and he needed time to respond to his.
The plaintiffs’ lawyer, Omotade Omotunbosun, did not object to the application for adjournment.
Following the development, Justice Dawodu adjourned the matter to February 19 for a hearing.
