Nigerian Lawyer Femi Falana Demands $5 Million from Facebook Owner Over Privacy Breach.
Renowned human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mr. Femi Falana, has filed a $5 million lawsuit against Meta Platforms Inc., the parent company of Facebook, owned by Mark Zuckerberg. The lawsuit, filed at a Lagos High Court, alleges a severe breach of privacy and defamation.
Falana, represented by his lawyer Olumide Babalola, claims that Meta published a video on its platform, www.facebook.com, under the page “AfriCare Health Center.” The video falsely portrayed Falana as suffering from a medical condition called prostatitis, complete with his name, images, and a fabricated voice recording. According to Falana, this publication is a blatant violation of his right to privacy, as guaranteed under Section 37 of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria (as amended) and the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023.
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The lawsuit seeks several remedies, including a court declaration that the publication constitutes an invasion of privacy. Falana is also demanding the immediate removal of the video from Meta’s platform. Additionally, he is seeking $5 million in general damages for the emotional and psychological distress caused by the false publication, as well as any other relief the court deems appropriate.
Falana emphasized that the video, which falsely claimed he had been battling prostatitis for 16 years, has tarnished his reputation and caused significant mental anguish. He stated that he has never suffered from the condition and has no connection to the “AfriCare Health Center” page. The video, which has been viewed by millions worldwide, paints him in a false light and has exposed him to ridicule and distress.
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In his affidavit, Falana highlighted his distinguished career as a human rights lawyer, known for challenging government overreach and advocating for marginalized groups. He argued that Meta’s failure to verify the authenticity of the video before publishing it was reckless and aimed at boosting platform engagement and ad revenue.
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Falana described the publication as “false, inaccurate, misleading, and unfair,” adding that it has caused him anxiety, sadness, and emotional disturbance. He urged the court to intervene and protect his reputation from further damage.
Nigerian Lawyer Femi Falana Demands $5 Million from Facebook Owner Over Privacy Breach.
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