A Federal High Court sitting in Effurun, Delta State, has ordered popular social media personality, VeryDarkMan, to pay N30 million in damages to the wife of comedian Mr Jollof, Mrs. Esinjemiyotan Uruneyonjuyei Atsepoyi, over defamatory statements.
The issue reportedly began in September 2024 during an online clash between VeryDarkMan and Mr Jollof. During the dispute, VeryDarkMan allegedly accused Mr Jollof’s wife of having affairs with politicians and internet fraudsters in order to help her husband secure a political appointment in Delta State.
In response at the time, Mr Jollof described VeryDarkMan as someone raised in a broken home and accused him of lacking proper upbringing.
Following the allegations, Mrs. Esinjemiyotan Uruneyonjuyei Atsepoyi filed a N500 million defamation suit against VeryDarkMan.
According to court documents signed by Hon. Justice R. Harriman on May 13, 2026, the court ruled that VeryDarkMan failed to provide evidence to support his claims and therefore ordered him to pay damages to the claimant.
The court awarded N20 million as general damages and an additional N10 million as aggravated damages.
Justice Harriman also ordered VeryDarkMan to publicly apologise to Mrs. Atsepoyi within 14 days by publishing a retraction and apology in two national newspapers and across all his social media platforms.
“I Therefore Have No Hesitation In Holding That The Words Complained Of Are Defamatory In Their Natural And Ordinary Meaning And Are Actionable Per Se,” The Judge Said.
The court further ruled that the defamatory statements caused reputational harm to the claimant and stated that a public apology and retraction were necessary to repair the damage done.
The judge also restrained VeryDarkMan, his agents, or associates from making any further defamatory publications against Mrs. Atsepoyi.
