A Lagos High Court sitting in Ikeja has dismissed the preliminary objections filed by social media influencer Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan ), in the N1bn defamation suit brought against him by human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), and his son, Folarin Falana, alias Falz.

Justice F.A. Azeez delivered rulings on the objections in the separate suits filed by the father and son on Tuesday.

In his decision, the judge awarded N100,000 each in costs in favour of Falana and Falz, bringing the total sum VDM is to pay to N200,000.

The court also ordered the defendant to immediately file his defence to the substantive defamation claims.

While Falana was not present at the proceedings, he was represented by his legal team comprising Ernest Olawanle and Femi Akinyemi.

Falz appeared in court in person, while VDM was represented by his counsel, Marvin Omorogbe.

The Falanas are suing the influencer over a video he published on September 24, 2024, via his Instagram handle @verydarkblackman. The video related to controversial cross-dresser, Idris Okuneye, alias Bobrisky, who served a jail term for naira abuse.

The ruling follows an earlier development on April 15, 2025, when Justice Mathias Dawodu of another Lagos High Court struck out a preemptive suit filed by the claimants.

That suit was intended to forestall potential procedural complications related to the defamation case.

Justice Dawodu held that the matter had become academic since the substantive suit was already before Justice Azeez, thereby rendering further proceedings unnecessary.

VDM had also filed a preliminary objection and a motion for stay of proceedings in the earlier suit, arguing that it constituted a multiplicity of actions.

But Justice Dawodu concluded that the case was no longer valid and described it as a waste of judicial time.

GlobalposeNews.