The defamation suit brought against Martins Otse, a.k.a Very Dark Man by Femi Falana and Folarin Falana at Ikeja Lagos High Court could not proceed due to technicalities.
VeryDarkman was sued to court by the Falanas after they claimed defamation when an audio tape allegedly made by transgender Idris Okuneye a.k.a Bobrisky accused them of participating in a bribery scandal, surrounding Bobrisky arraignment and sentencing for naira abuse.
When the case was called on Thursday, counsel to Falana and Falz, Muiz Banire (SAN), informed the court that the claimants had filed the originating process and served to the parties. Mr Banire also said a motion on notice was served on October 25 but presiding judge Justice Matthias Dawodu said the originating process was not before the court.
The claimant’s counsel, however, prayed the court to adjourn the case to enable him file administrative processes.
“In this circumstance, my lord, the best thing to do is to adjourn the matter so that we can go back to the registry to file all the administrative processes,” Mr Banire said.
In his response, counsel to VDM, Marvin Omorogbe, said it had been observed that there was no valid writ of summons before the court.
He, therefore, prayed the court to strike out the lawsuit. Mr Omorogbe said he did not know how the registry of the court would prepare any administrative process.
The judge however, adjourned the case until January 23, 2025, for hearing of the preliminary objections. The court also adjourned the sister case involving Falz and VDM on the same grounds.
The court on October 14 ordered VDM to bring down the alleged defamatory video which he made on September 24 against the Falanas.
