An Ikeja High Court on Thursday set January 23, 2025, for the hearing of a defamation suit filed by Mr. Femi Falana (SAN) and his son, Folarin, known as Falz, against online activist Vincent Otse, popularly called VeryDarkMan (VDM).

At the hearing, Falana and Falz’s counsel, Muiz Banire (SAN), informed the court that the originating process and a motion on notice had been served. However, Justice Matthias Dawodu noted that the originating process was not before the court, prompting Banire to request an adjournment to complete administrative filings.

VDM’s counsel, Marvin Omorogbe, argued that no valid writ of summons was on file and requested the court to dismiss the lawsuit. Omorogbe also requested a new hearing date for a preliminary objection, and the court set January 23, 2025, for further proceedings.

The court previously ordered VDM to remove a defamatory video posted on September 24, 2024, against the Falanas, following an ex parte application from Falana and Falz.