A Federal High Court in Effurun, Delta State, has ruled against popular social media critic VeryDarkMan, ordering him to pay ₦30 million in damages to Mrs. Esinjemiyotan Uruneyonjuyei Atsepoyi, the wife of comedian Mr. Jollof, over defamatory statements made against her in September 2024. The judgment, delivered by Justice R. Harriman on May 13, 2026, follows a legal battle that began after VeryDarkMan accused Mrs. Atsepoyi of engaging in affairs with politicians and internet fraudsters to help her husband secure a political appointment in Delta State. The court found the allegations to be defamatory and actionable without needing proof of malice, citing the wide reach and harmful nature of the online statements.
The case originated from a public online confrontation between VeryDarkMan and Mr. Jollof in September 2024. During the exchange, VeryDarkMan made serious claims about Mrs. Atsepoyi’s conduct, which Mr. Jollof publicly refuted, defending his wife’s character and integrity. The incident escalated when Mrs. Atsepoyi filed a ₦500 million defamation suit against the social media personality, seeking compensation for the damage to her reputation. The court, after reviewing the evidence, concluded that VeryDarkMan failed to substantiate his claims, leading to the judgment in favor of the plaintiff.
Justice Harriman emphasized that the words used by VeryDarkMan were defamatory in their natural and ordinary meaning and caused significant harm to Mrs. Atsepoyi’s reputation. The court awarded ₦20 million as general damages and ₦10 million as aggravated damages, reflecting the severity and public nature of the allegations. In addition to the monetary award, the judge ordered VeryDarkMan to issue a public apology and retract the defamatory statements within 14 days of the judgment. The apology must be published in two national newspapers and shared across all his social media platforms.
The court also issued an injunction restraining VeryDarkMan, his agents, and associates from making any further defamatory statements against Mrs. Atsepoyi. This ruling sets a precedent in Nigeria’s growing landscape of online defamation cases, highlighting the legal consequences of unverified and harmful content shared on social media. The judgment underscores the importance of accountability in digital spaces, especially for public figures with large followings. As social media continues to influence public discourse, this case serves as a reminder that freedom of expression does not extend to spreading false and damaging information without consequences. The outcome may prompt more individuals to seek legal redress for online attacks, reinforcing the need for responsible digital communication.
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