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Falana Sues Mark Zuckerberg’s Meta, Claims $5m Over Invasion Of Privacy

Published

3 months ago

March 17, 2025

Human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mr Femi Falana, has filed a $5 million (Five Million US Dollars) lawsuit before a Lagos High Court against the US-based company, Meta Platforms Inc., over an alleged invasion of his privacy.

In the originating motion, brought pursuant to Section 37 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), Sections 24(1)(A) and (E) & 34(1)(D) of the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023, and Order 2 Rule 1 of the Fundamental Rights Enforcement Procedure Rules 2009, Falana, through his lawyer, Olumide Babalola, accused the organisation of publishing motion images and a voice caption titled AfriCare Health Center on its website, falsely implying that he suffers from a medical condition known as prostatitis. The lawyer contends that this publication constitutes a breach of his privacy, as guaranteed under Section 37 of the Nigerian Constitution.

Falana claimed the publication and the video as released through the organization’s platform -www.facebook.com, is “false, inaccurate, misleading and unfair to the Applicant and thereby violates the provision of section 24(1)(a) and (e) of the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023.”

To this end, the reputable lawyer was praying the court for a declaration that the “Respondents continued publication of the Applicants name, still and motion images and purported voice on a page and video captioned “AfriCare Health Centre on their platform – www.facebook.com to the effect that the Applicant suffered from a disease known as ‘Prostatitis constitutes an invasion of the Applicants privacy guaranteed by section 37 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999.”

Besides, he is praying the court for an order mandating the “Respondents to forthwith remove, erase and delete the video captioned “AfriCare Health Centre on their platform – www.facebook.com.”

For the damages the publication has caused him, Falana, was asking for a general damages in the sum of $5, 000, 000 (Five Million US Dollars) and a consequential order that the court may deem fit to grant in the circumstance.

Falana who claimed that the published false video about his health status, which is his private life has rubished his image and the name he built over the years.

He argued that the publication by the Respondent which is false, offensive and disturbing paints him in a false light, that has caused him mental and emotional disturbances.

The grounds upon which the originating processes was instituted was that the Applicant as a reputable person is guaranteed the enjoyment of fundamental right to privacy under Section 37 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) and that the Respondents published the Applicants name and images and ascribed a false illness to him and thereby violated his right to privacy guaranteed by the Constitution and Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023 and he has suffered emotional and psychological distress as a result of the false story.

In the affidavit in support of the motion, Falana claimed that he is known for his fearless legal battles, often taking on cases against government policies and actions that infringe upon the rights of citizens and that his law practice covers a broad range of areas, including constitutional law, civil rights, public interest litigation, and international human rights law.

He said further that he is recognized for his work in defending freedom of expression, advocating for the rights of marginalized groups, and challenging governmental overreach.

He alleged that the Respondent is a media company operating a global social media platform known as www.facebook.com. and that on the 16th day of January 2025, he discovered a video of his person was posted on the Respondent’s platform under the page named “AfriCare Health Centre on Respondent’s platform – www.facebook.com. which he tendered as an Exhibit in the suit.

He noted: “In video that carries my name, picture and purported video, I am reported to have said that: “My name is Femi Falana, and I have been battling prostatitis for over 16 years. At the age of 50, I was diagnosed with this condition. Every day I faced pain, discomfort and constant fatigue. I had trouble urinating lower back pain and other symptoms that made it difficult to live a full life. Despite consulting the best urologist in the country, no one could offer me effective treatment, I was prescribed numerous medications, physical therapy even surgery but the problem was that these methods only temporarily relived the symptoms.”

He bemoaned the wrongful publication that he has been greatly prejudiced by the video of the Respondent’s on the grounds that his health life is part of his private life and he has never suffered any disease known as ‘Prostatitis’ in his life.

He averred that, “I have never had any dealing with the Respondent or its pages on issues with my health life.

The video and its contents are false, inaccurate, misleading and unfair to me. The video paints me in a false light and as such an invasion of my privacy.”

He claimed that the Respondent operates global platforms and anything published on these platforms are accessed and viewed by millions of people around the world. Hence, the stories have been viewed by millions of people since January 2023 when they were published on the Respondents platforms.

He said, “For the purpose of this suit, I do not find these stories libelous but since they are false and fabricated against me, I find them offensive, reckless, insensitive, disturbing and unjustifiable intrusion into my privacy by painting me in a false light.

“By the video, the Respondent’s page has given me a publicity that paints me in false light as the insinuations in the video are false and they infringe my right to privacy right to be let alone.

“At the time of deposing to this affidavit, the video has been published to the entire world on the Internet, and it has remained there for several weeks.

“For their failure to verify the page and video before publishing, I believe the Respondent’s publicity of my name and image in a false light was done carelessly and recklessly to draw traffic to the Respondent’s platform to boost its advertisement revenues.

“I believe that the Respondents use of my name and image in the video is unfair and insensitive to my feelings since they never verified the claims as expected.

“I find the Respondents’ publicity of my photograph and name in a false light highly offensive and emotionally disturbing. This continues to cause me anxiety, sadness and exposure to ridicule.”

He therefore prayed the court for a rescue and save his image from being ruined.

Related Topics:Facebook Falana Feminist Falana

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JUST IN: Lagos LG Chairman Dies After Prolonged Illness

Published

1 hour ago

June 14, 2025

Editor

The Executive Chairman of Oto-Awori Local Council Development Area, Musibau Asafa, is dead.

Asafa was said to have died during a prolonged illness.

His death, which has thrown the LCDA into mourning, was formally announced in a statement shared via Facebook on Saturday by his Chief Press Secretary, Bodunrin Ayodele.

Ayodele, however, did not disclose when the chairman died.The Executive Chairman of Oto-Awori Local Council Development Area, Musibau Asafa, is dead.

Asafa was said to have died during a prolonged illness.

His death, which has thrown the LCDA into mourning, was formally announced in a statement shared via Facebook on Saturday by his Chief Press Secretary, Bodunrin Ayodele.

Ayodele, however, did not disclose when the chairman died.

The statement read, “Oto-Awori Local Council Development Area is in mourning following the passing of its Executive Chairman, Prince Musibau Adekunle Asafa.

“Prince Asafa, a respected politician, leader and dedicated public servant, succumbed to a prolonged illness, leaving behind a legacy of service and commitment to the people he served.

“According to a close family member, Prince Asafa’s passing was confirmed after a long battle with illness. Despite the efforts of medical professionals, he was unable to recover and passed on, leaving his family, friends, and colleagues in shock and grief.“As news of his passing spreads, tributes and condolences are expected to pour in from well-wishers, community leaders, and government officials who had the privilege of working with him. Prince Asafa’s leadership was marked by a commitment to improving the lives of his constituents, and his contributions to the local government will be deeply missed.

“Oto-Awori LCDA has lost a dedicated servant, and his passing will be felt by many. May his legacy live on, and may his family find solace in the memories of his life and service.”

The Executive Chairman of Somolu Local Government Area, Abdul-Hamed Salawu through the Somolu LGA social media accounts on Saturday also condoled with Oto-Awori LCDA over the chairman’s demise.

The post read, “The executive chairman of Somolu Local Government, Abdul- Hammed Salawu, has sent the condolences of the Executive, Legislature, Management and the people of Somolu Local Government to the people of Oto- Awori LCDA and APC family, over the painful demise of Prince Musbau Adekunle Asafa, the executive chairman of Oto- Awori LCDA.

“May his gentle soul rest in perfect peace.”

News

NYSC Urges Bauchi Governor To Reconstruct Collapsed Camp Fence

Published

2 hours ago

June 14, 2025

Editor

The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Bauchi State, on Friday, called on Gov. Bala Mohammed to help reconstruct the collapsed orientation camp’s perimeter fence.

Mr Kofre Umoren, the NYSC Coordinator in the state made the call at the scheme’s permanent orientation camp, Wailo in Ganjuwa Local Government Area during the swearing in ceremony of the 2025 Batch ‘A’ stream II corps members deployed to the state.

According to him, the fence which was destroyed by a natural disaster had exposed the corps members and NYSC officials to invasion.

“I wish to remind his Excellency about our broken fence which needs urgent attention considering the security implications which make the camp porous and expose the camp community to invasion,” he pleaded.

Umoren, who expressed gratitude to the governor over the complete renovation of corps members’ hostels and the construction of a brand new Multi-purpose Hall, said there could be no better demonstration of commitment, love and fatherly care for the youth than the gesture.

“On behalf of the Director-General of the NYSC, Brig-Gen Olakunle Nafiu, management and corps members in Bauchi state, I wish to thank His Excellency for giving the NYSC a befitting and conducive orientation camp.

“As we continue to savour the beauty of this new camp; may I assure the governor and the good people of Bauchi that the corps members will continue to provide services where they are most needed in the state, especially in the rural areas,” said Umoren.

The State Coordinator explained that a total of 1,107 Corps Members, comprising 585 males and 522 females, were successfully registered and were ready to be sworn-in.

He warned the corps members to adhere strictly to the orientation course timetable, NYSC Bye-laws, extant rules and other relevant policies, sayong any deviation from them could result in appropriate sanctions.

Responding, Gov. Bala Mohammed who was represented by Alh. Auwal Jatau, his Deputy, said that the people of Bauchi State appreciated and supported the goals and objectives of the scheme.

This, he said, was the reason why his government has been collaborating with the scheme in every possible way to ensure the success of the NYSC in the state.

He explained that the renovation of corps members’ hostels and construction of the new multipurpose hall were just in the first phase of projects intended to be executed in the camp by his administration.

“The second phase which I assure would start very soon shall include, construction of staff accommodation, a clinic and other necessary facilities including the reconstruction of the collapsed fence that I’ve just been requested by the state coordinator,” he said.

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Wike Defends ₦39bn ICC Renovation, Renaming Edifice After Tinubu

Published

4 hours ago

June 14, 2025

Editor

..Put your houses in order, Tinubu tells opposition parties

Amid growing accusations that President Bola Tinubu is behind the leadership crises plaguing various opposition parties and allegedly working toward a one-party state, the President has advised opposition parties to focus on putting their houses in order ahead of the 2027 general election.

President Tinubu, represented by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, made this call on Friday at the commissioning of the newly constructed Left-Hand Service Carriageway of the Outer Southern Expressway (OSEX) Stage II, from Ring Road 1 (Apo Junction) to Wasa Junction, in Abuja.

Earlier in his remarks, FCT Minister Nyesom Wike expressed appreciation to President Tinubu for his support and responded to mounting criticisms over the ₦39 billion spent on renovating the International Conference Centre (ICC) and renaming it after the President.

Addressing lingering concerns about the opposition’s dwindling influence, Tinubu reiterated his commitment to multiparty democracy as pledged during his Democracy Day address. He insisted that, as a member of another political party, he could not mediate in opposition disputes.

“The opposition should put their houses together before the next election, so that nobody will accuse anybody of trying to stifle the opposition,” he said. “The President wants you to come together. If you cannot come together, the President cannot help you. This is politics. You’ll never unite if you continue to spread lies daily, condemning everything. Was Nigeria like this in 1960? Was Abuja like this three years ago?”

The President commended the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), under the leadership of Minister Nyesom Wike, for reactivating and completing abandoned infrastructure projects across the city.

“With the commissioning of this Left-Hand Service Carriageway, we are addressing a longstanding challenge. I commend the FCTA for completing projects with discipline, quality, and efficiency,” Tinubu stated.

In his speech, Wike argued that the President deserved the honour, having significantly contributed to the development of the Federal Capital Territory.

“As politicians, yes, we must criticize. But because you’re criticizing doesn’t mean you shouldn’t acknowledge progress. We are not flagging off; we are commissioning completed work,” Wike said.

Responding to allegations of wasteful spending, Wike said: “Some people just lack good taste. The only thing in that building that wasn’t changed is the blockwork. Everything else in the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre is brand new.”

He dismissed claims that the renovation was unnecessary or politically motivated, saying: “If you love this country, you will not criticize this project. It’s not about wearing one pair of shoes or carrying a backpack. It’s about delivering value and building for the future.”

Taking a swipe at a media house that reportedly questioned the rationale behind naming the ICC after Tinubu, Wike said: “Somebody said it should have been named after the original builder. Nnamdi Azikiwe didn’t build the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport. Moshood Abiola didn’t build the stadium named after him. That argument doesn’t hold.”

He also challenged critics who referenced the original 1991 construction cost of ₦240 million: “What was the exchange rate then? What is it today in 2025? People must learn to analyze with context instead of criticizing.”
(Tribune)