Ahead of his court hearing, social media critic VeryDarkMan refuses to apologise in the defamation case brought by Femi Falana and Falz.

[dropcap]P[/dropcap]opular social media commentator VeryDarkMan, widely known as VDM, is set to appear in court as part of a defamation lawsuit filed by prominent human rights lawyer Femi Falana and his son, musician and activist Falz.

This comes after VDM shared a leaked audio clip in September implicating the Falanas in an alleged bribery incident involving N10 million for a “presidential pardon” while crossdresser Bobrisky was detained at Kirikiri Correctional Centre.

Also read: VeryDarkMan calls for Portable’s arrest following viral assault video

VDM’s post drew swift denials from both Falana and Falz, who labelled the claims defamatory and demanded an apology and retraction within 24 hours.

When VDM failed to comply, the Lagos State High Court intervened, ordering him to delete the alleged defamatory content prior to the case’s hearing, which is scheduled for 14 November 2024 at Ikeja High Court in Lagos.

In a new Instagram video, VDM, who arrived in Lagos ahead of the hearing, reiterated his refusal to apologise, asserting that his intent was to expose corruption, not to defame the Falanas.

“I see things that don’t make sense, like someone going to prison and not serving a jail term or the EFCC, which is supposed to catch people involved in corruption, collecting money,” he explained, maintaining that he was highlighting systemic issues in Nigeria rather than targeting individuals.

VDM also disclosed his attempts to settle the matter respectfully, including a visit to personally apologise to Falana, only to be met with continued insistence on a public apology.

He commented, “I went to prostrate for Falana, yet they insisted I must go and apologise. Now it is time for the court hearing, and heaven won’t fall. Tomorrow, if I hear their names again, I will post it.”

The case brings to light ongoing tensions between online influencers and prominent figures in Nigerian society, raising questions about the boundaries of free speech, accountability, and defamation in the digital era.