A Federal High Court in Effurun, Delta State, has ordered social media influencer Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, to pay ₦30 million in damages to Mrs. Esinjemiyotan Uruneyonjuyei Atsepoyi, wife of comedian Mr Jollof, for making defamatory online statements against her. The court also mandated VeryDarkMan to issue a public apology in two national newspapers and across all his social media platforms within 14 days of the judgment. The ruling, delivered by Justice R. Harriman on May 13, 2026, follows a defamation suit filed by Mrs. Atsepoyi after VeryDarkMan accused her of adultery with politicians and Yahoo boys to secure a political appointment for her husband.
The controversy erupted in September 2024 during an online exchange between VeryDarkMan and Mr Jollof. In the heated social media spat, VeryDarkMan alleged that Mrs. Atsepoyi had engaged in illicit relationships with powerful figures to influence her husband’s political ambitions in Delta State. These claims were widely shared across digital platforms, sparking public outrage and legal action. In response, Mr Jollof criticized VeryDarkMan, calling him a product of a broken home and accusing him of poor upbringing, further escalating the conflict.
Mrs. Atsepoyi subsequently filed a ₦500 million defamation suit against VeryDarkMan, seeking compensation for the damage to her reputation. The court, after reviewing the evidence, found that the statements made by the defendant were defamatory and lacked factual basis. Justice Harriman stated that the words used were defamatory in their natural and ordinary meaning and were actionable per se, meaning no further proof of harm was needed.
The judge awarded ₦20 million as general damages and ₦10 million as aggravated damages, citing the wide dissemination of the false claims and their impact on Mrs. Atsepoyi’s personal and social standing. The court also granted an injunction restraining VeryDarkMan, his agents, or associates from making any further defamatory statements against the claimant. The judgment referenced precedents such as DIAMOND BANK v. OKPALA (2016) LPELR-41573(CA) and OBOK & ORS v. AGBOR & ORS (2016) LPELR-41219(CA) to support the decision.
The ruling underscores the growing legal scrutiny of online speech in Nigeria, particularly when it involves public figures and spreads rapidly through social media. The case serves as a reminder that digital platforms are not immune to legal consequences for defamatory content. As the judgment takes effect, the public will be watching closely to see how VeryDarkMan complies with the court’s directives, and whether this sets a precedent for future online disputes.
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