A Federal High Court sitting in Effurun, Delta State, has ordered social media commentator VeryDarkMan to pay N30 million in damages in a defamation suit filed by the wife of comedian Mr Jollof.
The judgment also mandates the defendant to issue a public apology across national newspapers and all his social media platforms within 14 days.
The case stems from an online dispute in September 2024 between VeryDarkMan and Mr Jollof, during which the social media personality allegedly made claims accusing Mr Jollof’s wife, Mrs Esinjemiyotan Uruneyonjuyei Atsepoyi, of infidelity involving politicians and other individuals. The allegations were reportedly linked to claims about attempts to secure political appointments in Delta State.
In response to the online exchange, Mr Jollof criticised VeryDarkMan’s conduct, describing him as poorly raised, escalating the public feud.
Following the remarks directed at her, Mrs Atsepoyi filed a N500 million defamation lawsuit against VeryDarkMan, seeking damages for reputational harm.
Delivering judgment on May 13, 2026, Justice R. Harriman ruled that the claimant had successfully proven her case, noting that the defendant failed to provide evidence to support the allegations made.
The court held that the published statements were defamatory in both their natural and ordinary meaning and awarded N20 million as general damages and an additional N10 million as aggravated damages.
The judge further ordered a formal retraction and apology to be published in two national newspapers and across all of the defendant’s social media accounts, citing the widespread circulation of the statements as justification for the ruling.
The court also issued an injunction restraining VeryDarkMan, his agents, or associates from making any further defamatory statements against the claimant.
The ruling brings closure to a case that has drawn significant public attention within Nigeria’s online entertainment and social commentary space.
