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Lagos High Court orders Meta to pay $25,000 after falsely portraying human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) as terminally ill on Facebook.
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Court rules that social media platforms hosting content for profit owe a duty of care, rejecting Meta’s “hosting” defence where harm is foreseeable.
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Falana’s right to privacy upheld, even as a public figure; publication of false medical information considered a breach under Nigerian law.
A Lagos State High Court has ruled in favour of Femi Falana (SAN), awarding him $25,000 in damages after Meta Platforms Inc. published a Facebook video falsely suggesting that Falana suffered from prostatitis. The judgment was delivered on January 13, 2026.
The court rejected Meta’s claim that it functioned merely as a “hosting” or “intermediary” platform, stating that platforms monetising content owe a duty of care to those affected by misinformation. This decision establishes a standard of accountability for online platforms under Nigerian law.
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Falana, represented by Olumide Babalola, had filed the lawsuit in early 2025, seeking $5 million in damages for the false depiction.
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The video, titled “AfriCare Health Centre”, was alleged to have been published without verification, misleadingly portraying Falana’s health status and causing emotional and reputational harm.
The court emphasized that public figures retain privacy rights, and false health data constitutes a serious intrusion into private life.
The ruling reinforces protection of sensitive personal information under the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023 and Section 37 of the Nigerian Constitution.
This case sets a precedent for social media accountability in Nigeria, highlighting the legal obligations of platforms to prevent the dissemination of false and harmful information, especially where financial gain from content is involved.
