Nigeria human rights lawyer sues Meta over 'false' post

Human rights lawyer and senior advocate Femi Falana has filed a $5m lawsuit in the Lagos High Court against the US-based Meta Platforms Inc over an alleged invasion of his privacy, reports Sahara Reporters. In the motion brought in terms of Section 37 of the Constitution and the Nigeria Data Protection Act, Falana, represented by his lawyer, Olumide Babalola, accused the organisation of publishing motion images and a voice captioned ‘AfriCare Health Centre’ on their website, which falsely suggested that he suffered from a disease known as 'prostatitis'. The publication, he claimed, constituted an invasion of his privacy as guaranteed by the Constitution of Nigeria, and was ‘false, inaccurate, misleading and unfair to the applicant ...’ He is asking the court for an order mandating the ‘respondents to forthwith remove, erase and delete the video and is also seeking general damages in the sum of $5m. Falana asserted that the published false video about his health status, which pertains to his private life, has tarnished his image and the reputation he has built over the years. He argued that the publication caused him mental and emotional distress. Falana stated that he is known for his fearless legal battles, often taking on cases against government policies and actions that infringe upon citizens' rights. Falana said that he was recognised for his work in defending freedom of expression, advocating for the rights of marginalised groups, and challenging governmental overreach. 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.  The video has been published to the entire world on the Internet, and it has remained there for several weeks.'