A Delta Federal High Court ordered VeryDarkMan to pay N30m and issue a public apology over defamatory remarks
A Federal High Court sitting in Effurun, Delta State, on Wednesday ordered social media personality VeryDarkMan to pay N30 million in damages to Mrs Esinjemiyotan Uruneyonjuyei Atsepoyi, wife of comedian Mr Jollof, over defamatory statements published online.
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Justice R. Harriman delivered the ruling on May 13, 2026, after finding that VeryDarkMan failed to provide evidence to support allegations made against Mrs Atsepoyi during an online dispute with Mr Jollof in September 2024.
The controversy began when the social media critic accused Mr Jollof’s wife of adultery with politicians and internet fraudsters to help her husband secure a political appointment in Delta State.
Mr Jollof had responded at the time by describing VeryDarkMan as poorly brought up and a product of a broken home.
Following the allegations, Mrs Atsepoyi filed a N500 million defamation suit against the online commentator.
In the judgment obtained by DAILY POST, the court awarded N20 million as general damages and an additional N10 million as aggravated damages.
The court also directed VeryDarkMan defamation damages to include a public apology and retraction within 14 days.
Justice Harriman ordered the defendant to publish apologies in two national newspapers and across all his social media platforms, retracting the defamatory statements made between September 15 and September 19, 2024.
“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 further restrained VeryDarkMan, his agents, or associates from making further defamatory publications against Mrs Atsepoyi.
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The ruling has sparked reactions online, with many social media users debating the growing legal consequences of online commentary and reputational attacks.
David Okere is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering business, governance, public affairs, and human-interest stories with a commitment to accuracy, balance, and public interest reporting.
