Public interest lawyer Inibehe Effiong has commented on the defamation case involving prominent human rights attorney Femi Falana and social media figure Martins Vincent Otse, also known as VeryDarkMan. In a statement on X, Effiong criticized VeryDarkMan for his misconceptions about libel law, particularly his claim that Falana should have addressed Bobrisky instead of him for the defamatory remarks.
Effiong pointed out that publishing defamatory content makes one legally liable, regardless of intent. He elaborated that even indirect references can be actionable if they lead reasonable people to infer the identity of the claimant.
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The controversy erupted after VeryDarkMan shared audio implicating Falana’s son, Folarin Falana (Falz), in a claim involving crossdresser Bobrisky. The voice note suggested that Bobrisky’s legal issues were linked to Falana, prompting a legal response describing VeryDarkMan’s post as “vicious” and demanding a retraction. Effiong stressed the importance of substantial evidence when making allegations against lawyers, especially concerning bribery or corruption.
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In response, VeryDarkMan defended himself, stating that he merely expressed skepticism about Falana’s alleged involvement and emphasized his respect for the lawyer’s contributions to society. This case highlights the complexities of defamation and the responsibility individuals bear in their public statements.
