Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Femi Falana has filed a $5 million lawsuit against Meta Platforms Inc., the parent company of Facebook, over an alleged invasion of his privacy.
The suit, filed before a Lagos High Court by his lawyer, Olumide Babalola, accuses Meta of publishing a video falsely claiming Falana suffered from “prostatitis.” According to court documents, the video, titled “AfriCare Health Center,” features Falana’s name, image, and a voiceover allegedly portraying him as battling the condition for over 16 years.
Falana contends that the publication, which appeared on Facebook, is “false, inaccurate, misleading, and unfair.” He argues that it violates his right to privacy under Section 37 of the Nigerian Constitution and provisions of the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023.
Falana is seeking:
- A declaration that the publication violates his right to privacy.
- A court order directing Meta to remove the video from Facebook.
- $5 million in general damages for the harm caused.
In his affidavit, Falana stated that he has never suffered from prostatitis and has “never had any dealings with Meta regarding his health life.” He described the publication as “reckless, offensive, and disturbing,” asserting that it has damaged his reputation and caused emotional distress.
He further alleged that Meta “failed to verify the authenticity of the content,” using his image to drive engagement and increase advertising revenue.
Falana emphasized that Meta operates a global platform, making the false claims widely accessible. He insists that the continued publication of the video exposes him to “ridicule, anxiety, and emotional distress.”
The case highlights growing concerns about data privacy and misinformation on social media platforms. It remains to be seen how the Lagos High Court will rule on the matter.
