Falana vs VDM: Court strikes out suit

Admin I Tuesday, April 16, 2025

 

IKEJA, LAGOS – The legal battle between Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mr. Femi Falana, Folarin Falana better known as Falz and Vincent Otse alias Verydarkman came to an abrupt end before Justice Mathias Dawoodu following the decision of the judge to strike out the suit.

At the resumption of hearing today, Femi Falana, Folarin Falana and Vincent Otse were not in court.

But counsel to the defendant, N.O. Alagbe, holding brief for Marvin Omorogbe informed the court that though the matter is slated for hearing but that he has filed application dated April 11 but filed April 14 for stay of proceeding pending judgement by Justice Fimisola  Azeez.

Justice Mathias Dawoodu said the application in question was not in the file wondering why he is being troubled with the case when the substantive suit is before another court.

In his response, counsel to the Falanas, Mr Omotayo Olatunbosun informed the court that he received the said application at 4:15 pm on Monday but that the matter slated for the day is the preliminary objection, which he said is ripe for hearing and that the new application is meant to prolong matters.

Citing relevant cases, he averred that the Supreme Court already ruled that the court is not bound to recognize a matter filled with the registry but not in the file of the court and urged the judge to proceed with the business of the day.

After listening to the submissions, Justice Mathias Dawoodu ruled that after considering the matter at hand and the new application filed by defence but not in file, to insist on going ahead with the suit will be an academic exercise since the substantive suit is before another judge.

“Consequently, this suit is hereby struck out”.

The Falanas had dragged VDM before the court, demanding N500 million each as damages over a video VDM posted on his social media platforms alleging that Falana demanded N10 million from social media personality, Idris Okuneye, better known as Bobrisky to pervert justice.