A Delta State Federal High Court in Effurun has ordered popular Nigerian social‑media personality VeryDarkMan to pay N30 million in damages to Mrs Esinjemiyotan Uruneyonjuyei Atsepoyi, the wife of comedian Mr Jollof, after finding him liable for defamation.
The dispute began in September 2024 when VeryDarkMan, amid an online exchange with Mr Jollof, alleged that the comedian’s wife had engaged in extramarital affairs with politicians and “Yahoo boys” to secure a political appointment for her husband in Delta State. Mr Jollof responded by branding VeryDarkMan “a product of a broken home” and questioning his credibility.
Mrs Atsepoyi denied the allegations and filed a N500 million defamation suit against VeryDarkMan. The case was heard by Justice R. Harriman, who on 13 May 2026 ruled that the statements were defamatory “in their natural and ordinary meaning” and actionable per se. The judge noted that VeryDarkMan offered no evidence to substantiate his claims.
In his judgment, Justice Harriman awarded the claimant N20 million in general damages and N10 million in aggravated damages, bringing the total award to N30 million. He also ordered VeryDarkMan to publish an apology and retraction in two national newspapers and across all his social‑media platforms within 14 days of the judgment. The apology must address the defamatory remarks made on 15, 16 and the early hours of 19 September 2024. Additionally, the court issued an injunction restraining VeryDarkMan, his agents or any privies from making further defamatory statements about Mrs Atsepoyi.
The ruling cited precedent cases—including Diamond Bank v. Okpala (2016) and Obok & Ors v. Agbor & Ors (2016)—to underline the court’s stance on the wide dissemination of defamatory material and the necessity of a public retraction to restore the complainant’s reputation.
Legal analysts note that the judgment underscores the Nigerian judiciary’s willingness to impose significant financial penalties and public apologies on social‑media influencers who spread unverified accusations. The case also highlights the growing relevance of defamation law in the digital age, where statements can rapidly reach a nationwide audience.
Both parties have yet to comment publicly on the court’s decision. The judge’s order gives VeryDarkMan a two‑week window to comply; failure to do so could result in further contempt proceedings. The case may serve as a reference point for future disputes involving online speech and reputation protection in Nigeria.
