A Federal High Court in Effurun, Delta State, has ruled that social media personality VeryDarkMan must pay ₦30 million in damages to Mrs. Esinjemiyotan Atsepoyi, wife of comedian Mr Jollof, after finding his allegations against her defamatory.
Key details from the judgment:
- ₦20 million awarded as general damages
- ₦10 million awarded as aggravated damages
- Mandatory public apology and retraction within 14 days
Apology must be published in:
- Two national newspapers
- All VeryDarkMan’s social media platforms
Court issued a perpetual injunction restraining further defamatory statements against Mrs. Atsepoyi
Background:
The dispute began in September 2024 during an online feud between VeryDarkMan and Mr Jollof, where VeryDarkMan allegedly accused Mr Jollof’s wife of:
- Adultery with politicians
- Relationships with internet fraudsters
- Using those relationships to secure political favors for her husband
Mrs. Atsepoyi responded by filing a ₦500 million defamation suit.
Court’s position:
Justice R. Harriman ruled that:
- The statements were defamatory in their natural meaning
- VeryDarkMan failed to provide credible evidence
The widespread nature of the allegations justified both damages and public retraction
Why this matters:
This judgment reinforces that:
- Social media commentary can carry serious legal consequences
- Public figures and influencers may face substantial penalties for unverified defamatory claims
Nigerian courts are increasingly treating online defamation with greater seriousness.
Published by Ejoh Caleb
