LAGOS, Nigeria(VOICE OF NAIJA)-The defamation suit filed by the Falanas against Martins Otse, aka VeryDarkMan, has been thrown out by an Ikeja High court.
The case stemmed from an audio recording by a cross-dresser, Bobrisky, accusing human rights lawyer, Femi Falana and his son, Folarin aka Falz, of perverting justice.
The recording shared by VDM via his social media platforms went viral, prompting the Falanas to sue for defamation. Through the defamation suit, the claimants each demanded N500 million in damages.
However, both the claimants (The Falanas) and the defendant (VDM), were absent from court when the case was called, but were represented by their legal counsel.
READ ALSO: VDM Challenges Court Ruling Over Alleged Defamation Of Falana, Falz
VDM’s counsel, Niyi Alagbe, who held brief for his colleague Marvin Omorogbe, informed the court that an application for a stay of proceedings had been filed before Justice Fimisola Azeez.
In response, legal counsel to the Falanas, Omotayo Olatunbosun, confirmed that his office received the aforementioned application on Monday at approximately 4.15 p.m.
Falana’s counsel argued that the day’s agenda focused on the preliminary objection, which was ready for hearing. He contended that the new application was a delay tactic and urged the presiding judge, Justice Matthias Dawodu, to proceed with the scheduled business.
Justice Dawodu noticed that the application was not in the file and questioned why the case was being brought before him when the substantive suit was already pending before another court. Consequently, he struck out the suit, ruling that proceeding would be an academic exercise.
“Consequently, this suit is hereby struck out,” Justice Dawodu concluded.
