Prominent Nigerian human rights lawyer Femi Falana, SAN, has filed a $5 million lawsuit alleging privacy violations against Facebook’s parent firm, Meta Platforms Inc.
According to reports, Falana filed the complaint in the Lagos High Court, claiming that Meta violated his rights by spreading false information about his health.
Falana claims that Meta posted a video on Facebook under the “AfriCare Health Center” page that falsely claimed that he had “Prostatitis” in the basic rights lawsuit filed by his lawyer, Olumide Babalola.
According to Section 37 of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution, the lawyer argues that this action violates his right to privacy.
The publishing, Falana further argues, was “false, inaccurate, misleading, and unjust” because it included voice subtitles and moving pictures purportedly associated with him.
Citing a violation of Section 24(1)(a) and (e) of the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023, he called for the content to be taken down from the platform right away.
Falana’s lawsuit asks a determination that Meta’s publication violated his fundamental right to privacy.
In addition, he is seeking a $5 million general damages award for the emotional and reputational harm he has experienced, as well as an order requiring Meta to take down the video.
Falana expressed serious worry about the misleading content as a well-known advocate for human rights and accountability.
In the alleged video, he was narrating a fabricated story about his 16-year battle with prostatitis, which included symptoms including pain, discomfort, and problems with his urine.
Falana, however, is adamant that he has never had this disease and that he did not authorize the production of such content.
“The information in the video is unjust to me, erroneous, deceptive, and incorrect. Falana was quoted by Sahara Reporters as saying in his declaration, “It presents me in an untrue manner and is an unwarranted invasion of my privacy.”
The bogus publication has been viewed by millions of people globally since it was posted in January 2025, he added, thanks to the global reach of Meta’s platforms.
He charged that Meta had utilized his name and image irresponsibly and negligently to increase platform traffic and advertising income.
Legal Repercussions and Meta’s Obligation Falana emphasized how Meta’s activities have put him under unnecessary scrutiny, mockery, and reputational harm, causing him great mental suffering.
Falana claims, “For the purposes of this litigation, I do not find these stories libellous, but because they are untrue and made up against me, I find them to be disrespectful, careless, insensitive, upsetting, and an unacceptable invasion of my privacy by falsely portraying me.
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Because of the erroneous insinuations in the video, the respondent’s page has given me notoriety that presents me in a negative light and violates my right to private.
According to this affidavit, the video was posted online for everyone to see at the time of deposition and had been there for a few weeks.
I think the respondent’s thoughtless and irresponsible promotion of my name and picture in a misleading light was done to increase traffic to the respondent’s platform and increase its ad revenues since they neglected to cross-check the page and video before publishing.
“I think it’s unjust and inconsiderate of the respondents to utilize my name and image in the video because they never did the necessary verification of the claims.
“I find the responses’ deceptive use of my name and photo to be extremely disrespectful and upsetting. This still makes me feel depressed, anxious, and vulnerable to mockery.
In order to prevent his reputation from being damaged, Falana prayed to the court for help.
