Lagos, Nigeria – Human rights lawyer and 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, accuses the social media giant of publishing a misleading video falsely claiming that Falana has been battling a medical condition known as prostatitis.
The lawsuit, brought under Section 37 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023, argues that Meta’s actions constitute a violation of Falana’s fundamental rights.
Allegations Against Meta
Falana alleges that a video published on Facebook under the page titled “AfriCare Health Centre” falsely portrays him as suffering from prostatitis for over 16 years. According to the legal documents, the video features motion images and a voiceover purportedly belonging to Falana, making misleading statements about his health.
In the video, Falana is allegedly quoted as saying:
“My name is Femi Falana, and I have been battling prostatitis for over 16 years. At the age of 50, I was diagnosed with this condition. Every day I faced pain, discomfort, and constant fatigue. Despite consulting the best urologists in the country, no one could offer me effective treatment.”
The senior lawyer, however, categorically denies ever suffering from the illness or making such statements. He claims the video is false, misleading, and damaging to his reputation.
Legal Demands
Falana is seeking several reliefs from the court, including:
- A declaration that Meta’s publication constitutes an invasion of his privacy under Section 37 of the Nigerian Constitution.
- An order directing Meta to remove the video from Facebook immediately.
- A demand for $5 million in general damages for the emotional and psychological distress caused by the false publication.
Impact on Reputation
Femi Falana, known for his fearless legal battles and advocacy for human rights, argues that the false publication has tarnished his image. He describes the video as reckless, insensitive, and disturbing, adding that it has subjected him to public ridicule and emotional distress.
He further claims that the video has been widely viewed globally since its publication in January 2025, and that Meta failed to verify the content before allowing it to be published on its platform.
Falana asserts that Meta’s failure to fact-check the publication before dissemination amounts to a deliberate attempt to attract traffic to its platform for financial gain. He accuses the company of exploiting his name and image for commercial benefits, without his consent.
At the time of filing the lawsuit, the video reportedly remained accessible on Facebook, causing Falana continued distress.
Seeking Justice
Falana is urging the court to intervene and protect his fundamental rights by ensuring Meta is held accountable for the alleged privacy violation. He maintains that his health status is a private matter and that the false portrayal of his medical condition is a grave injustice.
The case is expected to draw significant attention, given Falana’s reputation as one of Nigeria’s most respected legal practitioners and human rights advocates.
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