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

Published

3 months ago

March 17, 2025

Editor

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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We’ve Initiated Policies, Reforms For Sustainable Health Delivery System — Edo Deputy Gov

Published

2 hours ago

June 20, 2025

Editor

Deputy Governor of Edo State, Hon. Dennis Idahosa has
said that the Senator Monday Okpebholo-led administration has initiated policies and reforms that will ensure a sustainable healthcare delivery system.

Idahosa stated this while chairing the second meeting of the state taskforce on Primary Health Care (PHC), at the New Festival Hall, Government House in Benin.

According to statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Friday Aghedo, the meeting included the taskforce members, stakeholders, and developmental partners.

In his keynote address, the deputy governor called for societal vigilance and surveillance to help curtail the effects of the outbreak of Dengue Fever and Diphtheria.

He mentioned that the state was putting up concerted efforts at building a responsive and resilient PHC system.

He encouraged members of the taskforce to be solutions driven, as well as be an instrument of change in their quest to disseminate, enlighten and champion a result driven health process that benefits locals across the eighteen local government areas.

He noted that the plan was to make primary healthcare the most accessible form of healthcare in the state to aid better maternal and health outcomes.

Idahosa singled out and commended the Egor local government chairman, Hon. Kelvin Eguaekun, for his concerted effort to network and maintain cleanliness in his council area.

Idahosa informed the state government move to implement a reward system for local government chairmen who play critical roles in their domains by disseminating and implementing processes that showcase the benefits of a cleaner environment to drive down diseases.

Amongst chairmen who pledged to implement reached decisions at the stakeholders meeting included Hon. Haruna Mohammed of Owan East and Hon. Joy Ohonyor of Owan West.

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What We’ve Done So Far To Curtail Ravaging Dengue Fever, Diphtheria – Edo Govt

Published

2 hours ago

June 20, 2025

Editor

Edo State government said measures have been put in place to combat the outbreak of Dengue Fever and Diphtheria.

The state Commissioner for Health, Dr. Cyril Oshiomhole, disclosed this during a meeting with the state deputy governor and taskforce on Primary Health Care (PHC), at the New Festival Hall, Government House in Benin

He said the government has made donations of medical supplies to the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) as part of the intervention.

Oshiomhole listed the medical supplies to include hospital beds, mattresses, oxygen cylinders, intravenous fluids, and and erythromycin, among others.

Dr. Oshiomhole also mentioned that the state received support of twenty doses of Diphtheria antitoxins from Delta state government.

“We also want to commend the UBTH, the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), and development partners such as UNICEF, WHO for their collaborative efforts and provision of technical support to combat the disease.

“NCDC provided the state with diphtheria antitoxins and intravenous erythromycin and other logistics.

“In addition, NCDC team is presently on ground to do a verbal autopsy of some of the current victims of the Diphtheria outbreak,” he stated.

He noted that the state is also faced with dengue fever which has led to the emphasis on the need for a cleaner environment.

Oshiomhole also reminded on Lassa fever whose outbreak can be controlled to an extent through environmental cleanliness.

The commissioner explained the reactive vaccination for teens from ages 5-14 in schools based on the outbreak of Diphtheria in six council areas of the state.

He harped on the need for contact tracing in neighborhoods and schools in order to track and vaccinate high-risk people, front liners, and high-risk personalities in society.

Earlier, Executive Secretary, Edo State Primary Health Care Development Agency (EDSPHCDA), Dr. Coulsen Oisokhai, called for collaboration with civil society organizations and development partners to strengthen relationships.

Speaking on behalf of implementing partners, Dr. Nora Eyo of the WHO harped on vaccine hesitancy as a major challenge faced in Edo State.

She pointed out the prevalence of waste dumps in residential buildings in the state as a challenge to sound health.

News

FRSC Warns Officers Against Bribery, Unethical Practices

Published

2 hours ago

June 20, 2025

Editor

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has warned all patrol officers to shun bribery and all forms of unethical practices across the country.

Assistant Corps Marshal Yakubu Mohammad, the new Zonal Commanding Officer of FRSC Zone RS12HQ in Charge of Bauchi, Yobe and Borno states, made the warning in Bauchi on Friday after resuming office.

According to him, measures were in place to apprehend and sanction any FRSC personnel who compromise their duties, adding that both those who offer bribes and those who accept them would face prosecution in accordance with the scheme’s extant laws.

Mohammad, who called on all road users especially, in Bauchi, Yobe and Borno states to cooperate with FRSC personnel on duty, emphasized the need to prioritize safety and strict compliance with traffic rules and regulations, particularly as the rainy season approaches.

The Zonal Commanding Officer urged all officers and personnel within his commands to remain dedicated to their duties, saying that under the leadership of Corps Marshal Shehu Mohammed, FRSC was planning to implement a policy of consultation, alongside rewards and punishments for compliance and disobedience.

“I want to urge motorists in these three states to be safety-conscious by avoiding overloading, speeding, and dangerous driving behaviors, and to refrain from using rickety vehicles.

“I also want to assure the public that the FRSC is always prepared to respond promptly to rescue operations and will work collaboratively with all stakeholders and sister security agencies to promote a safe road culture in the three states,” he said.

The FRSC boss expressed commitment to public education, rescue of road traffic victims, and the strict enforcement of traffic regulations in line with the initiatives of the Corps Marshal.

He also advised drivers to install and make use of the FRSC App to know more about Corps activities while regulating their speed.

He further called on them to regularly check their eyesight and blood pressure which he said, could negatively affect their driving abilities.

Mohammed took over from Assistant Corps Marshal Jeol Dagwa, who has been redeployed to the FRSC National Headquarters, Abuja as ACM for Administration.

Prior to his appointment and subsequent deployment to Bauchi as the Zonal Commanding Officer of the three states, ACM Yakubu Mohammad served as the Assistant Corps Marshal in charge of Administration at the FRSC National Headquarters in Abuja.