Ola Akinwunmi
Lagos, Nigeria – Renowned human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Femi Falana, has initiated a $5 million lawsuit against Meta Platforms Inc., the parent company of Facebook, alleging an invasion of his privacy. The suit was filed in the Lagos State High Court in Ikeja.
Falana’s legal action centers on a video published on Facebook, titled “AfriCare Health Center,” which falsely claims that he suffers from a condition known as prostatitis. He contends that this publication not only misrepresents his health status but also tarnishes his reputation, causing significant emotional and psychological distress.
Represented by his attorney, Olumide Babalola, Falana argues that Meta’s actions violate his constitutional right to privacy as enshrined in Section 37 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) and the Nigeria Data Protection Act of 2023.
The lawsuit seeks a court declaration affirming this violation, an order compelling Meta to remove the defamatory video, and general damages amounting to $5 million.This case underscores the ongoing global scrutiny of tech giants like Meta concerning data privacy and user rights.
Notably, Meta has faced significant legal challenges in the past, including a multibillion-dollar class-action lawsuit in the United States related to the Cambridge Analytica scandal, where user data was allegedly misused for political advertising.
As the legal proceedings unfold, the outcome of Falana’s lawsuit could set a significant precedent for privacy rights and corporate accountability in Nigeria and beyond.
