A Federal High Court sitting in Effurun, Delta State, has ordered controversial social media personality, Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, to pay ₦30 million in damages to Mrs Esinjemiyotan Uruneyonjuyei Atsepoyi, the wife of comedian Mr Jollof, over defamatory statements made online.
The court also directed VeryDarkMan to publish a public apology and retraction across his social media platforms and in two national newspapers within 14 days.
How The Dispute Started
The controversy began in September 2024 during a heated social media clash between VeryDarkMan and comedian Mr Jollof.
During the online exchange, VeryDarkMan allegedly accused Mr Jollof’s wife of engaging in adultery with politicians and internet fraudsters to help her husband secure a political appointment in Delta State.
The allegations quickly sparked reactions online, with Mr Jollof publicly defending his wife while condemning the statements made against her.
Following the controversy, Mrs Atsepoyi filed a ₦500 million defamation suit against the social commentator.
Court Awards ₦30m Damages
According to court documents reportedly signed by Justice R. Harriman on May 13, 2026, the court ruled that the statements made by VeryDarkMan were defamatory.
The judge held that the defendant failed to provide evidence to substantiate the allegations published online.
Justice Harriman stated that the defamatory comments damaged the claimant’s reputation and warranted both general and aggravated damages.
“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,” the judge ruled.
The court subsequently awarded ₦20 million as general damages and ₦10 million as aggravated damages against VeryDarkMan.
Court Orders Public Apology
The court further ordered the social media personality to issue a public apology and retract the defamatory statements published between September 15 and September 19, 2024.
“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,” the ruling added.
Justice Harriman also restrained VeryDarkMan, his associates, agents, or representatives from making any further defamatory publication against Mrs Atsepoyi.
The judgment has since triggered reactions online, with many Nigerians debating the growing trend of social media defamation cases involving celebrities and online commentators.