A Federal High Court sitting in Effurun, Delta State, has ordered popular Nigerian social media personality, Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, to pay N30 million in damages to Mrs. Esinjemiyotan Uruneyonjuyei Atsepoyi, wife of comedian and media personality, Mr Jollof, over defamatory statements made against her.
The case originated from an online dispute in September 2024 between VeryDarkMan and Mr Jollof, during which the social media commentator allegedly accused Mrs. Atsepoyi of engaging in extramarital affairs with politicians and internet fraudsters to secure political appointments for her husband in Delta State.
In response to the allegations, Mr Jollof criticised VeryDarkMan’s upbringing and conduct, describing him as lacking proper home training.
Following the controversy, Mrs. Atsepoyi instituted a N500 million defamation suit against VeryDarkMan, insisting that the allegations were false, damaging, and injurious to her reputation.
Delivering judgment on May 13, 2026, Justice R. Harriman held that the defendant failed to substantiate the allegations made against the claimant and ruled that the statements were defamatory.
According to the certified court document obtained by DAILY POST, the court awarded N20 million as general damages and an additional N10 million as aggravated damages in favour of the claimant.
The court also directed VeryDarkMan to publish a formal apology and retraction in two national newspapers and across all his social media platforms within 14 days of the judgment.
Justice Harriman, in his ruling, stated:
“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. Given the wide dissemination of the defamatory material, a retraction and apology are appropriate to restore the Claimant’s reputation.”
The court further restrained the defendant, his agents, or associates from making any further defamatory publications against the claimant.
