The long-standing legal battle between social commentator Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), and the family of comedian Mr. Jollof reached a climax this week. A High Court has officially found VDM liable for defamation, ordering him to pay a staggering ₦30.5 million in total damages to Esinjemiyotan Atsepoyi (Mrs. Jollof).
The judgment marks a significant milestone in Nigerian social media law, emphasizing that digital content creators are legally accountable for the claims they broadcast to their audiences.
The Financial Verdict: Breaking Down the ₦30.5 Million
The court’s ruling was comprehensive, aiming to address both the reputational harm and the costs of the lengthy litigation.
- General Damages: ₦20 million awarded for the damage done to Mrs. Jollof’s reputation and event-planning business.
- Aggravated Damages: ₦10 million imposed due to the persistent nature of the defamatory posts.
- Litigation Costs: ₦500,000 to cover the claimant’s legal fees.
Retractions and Public Apologies
The court did not stop at financial penalties. To ensure the restoration of Mrs. Jollof’s name, the presiding judge issued the following mandates:
- Immediate Retraction: VDM is required to remove the defamatory posts from all his social media platforms.
- National Apology: He must publish a formal apology in two national newspapers within 14 days of the judgment.
- Perpetual Injunction: A restraining order was placed on VDM, preventing him from making further defamatory statements about Mrs. Jollof.
Origin of the Scandal
The legal firestorm began in September 2024, when VDM made a series of explosive allegations against Mrs. Jollof. During a public feud with her husband, VDM accused her of infidelity with various politicians and “Yahoo boys,” claiming she used these connections to secure her husband’s political appointment as a Senior Special Assistant in Delta State.
Mrs. Jollof’s legal team argued that these “baseless and malicious” claims led to significant emotional distress, ridicule for her children, and a sharp decline in her professional clientele.
At a Glance: The Court’s Ruling
| Requirement | Details |
| Total Fine | ₦30,500,000 |
| Recipient | Esinjemiyotan Atsepoyi (Mrs. Jollof) |
| Apology Deadline | 14 days from judgment |
| Apology Format | 2 National Dailies + Social Media |
| Legal Basis | Defamation of character / Reputational harm |
Impact on the Digital Landscape
This victory for the Atsepoyi family is being viewed as a cautionary tale for “social media activists.” Coming on the heels of VDM’s other legal entanglements—including his ongoing ₦1 billion suit with the Falanas—this ₦30.5 million judgment serves as a stern reminder that the “dark” corners of the internet are not beyond the reach of the law.
As of now, VDM has yet to issue a formal statement regarding whether he will appeal the judgment or comply with the 14-day apology deadline.