Ahead of his court hearing in Lagos over a defamation lawsuit, social media critic VeryDarkMan, also known as VDM, has maintained that he will not apologize to human rights lawyer Femi Falana and his son, the singer Falz, despite their claims of defamation.
The controversy began in September when VDM shared a leaked audio recording in which crossdresser Bobrisky implicated Falz and his father. In the recording, Bobrisky alleged that Falana and Falz offered to facilitate his “presidential pardon” from Kirikiri Correctional Centre for N10 million. Both Falana and Falz denied the accusation and demanded an immediate public apology and retraction from VDM, describing his post as defamatory.
After VDM refused to apologize, the Lagos State High Court ordered him to delete the alleged defamatory post. The substantive hearing is scheduled for November 14, 2024, at Ikeja High Court.
In a recent Instagram video, VDM insisted he would not apologize, stating that his post aimed to expose corruption within Nigeria’s justice system. He argued that the Falanas should clear their names publicly rather than seeking an apology.
“I came to Lagos ahead of the case at Ikeja High Court,” VDM stated. “They say I defamed them, but for me, I exposed corruption. If names are mentioned in such situations, I feel they should be addressed openly. I’m not afraid of anyone, and I stand by what I posted.”
The defamation case has sparked widespread debate on social media about the boundaries of free speech and accountability in Nigeria.
