A Federal High Court sitting in Effurun, Delta State, has ordered Nigerian social media personality, Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, to pay N30 million in damages to Mrs Esinjemiyotan Uruneyonjuyei Atsepoyi, the wife of comedian Freedom Okpetoritse Atsepoyi, popularly known as Mr Jollof, over defamatory statements.

The dispute began in September 2024 during an online clash between VeryDarkMan and Mr Jollof.

During the exchange, VeryDarkMan accused Esinjemiyotan Uruneyonjuyei Atsepoyi of adultery with politicians and internet fraudsters to help her husband secure a political appointment in Delta State.

Reacting to the allegations at the time, Mr Jollof described VeryDarkMan as a product of a broken home and said he lacked proper upbringing.

Following the claims, Esinjemiyotan Uruneyonjuyei Atsepoyi filed a N500 million defamation suit against the social media personality.

In a court document signed by Hon. Justice R. Harriman on May 13, 2026, the court ruled that VeryDarkMan failed to provide evidence to support his allegations and ordered him to pay N30 million in damages for defamation.

The court awarded N20 million as general damages and N10 million as aggravated damages.

Justice Harriman also directed VeryDarkMan to publish an apology to the claimant in two national newspapers and across all his social media platforms within 14 days. The apology must include a retraction of the defamatory statements made in September 2024.

In his ruling, Justice Harriman said: “I therefore have no hesitation in holding that the words complained of are defamatory in their natural and ordinary meaning and are actionable per se.

“I find that the Claimant is entitled to general and aggravated damages and an injunction. See DIAMOND BANK v. OKPALA (2016) LPELR-41573(CA) and OBOK & ORS v. AGBOR & ORS (2016) LPELR-41219(CA).

Given the wide dissemination of the defamatory material, a retraction and apology are appropriate to restore the Claimant’s reputation.

“Judgment is hereby entered in favour of the Claimant against the defendant as follows: It is declared that the words published by the Defendant concerning the Claimant are defamatory.

“N20,000,000.00 (Twenty Million Naira) as general damages; N10,000,000.00 (Ten Million Naira) as aggravated damages. The Defendant is hereby directed to publish an apology to the Claimant in two national dailies and all his social media handles containing a retraction of the defamatory words contained in the Defendant’s online publication of 15th, 16th, and in the early hours of 19th September, 2024, within 14 days of this judgment.

“The Defendant, by himself, his agents, and/or privies, is hereby restrained from further making any defamatory publication against the Claimant,” the court ordered. (TRIBUNE)

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