By Femi Falana Sues Meta for $5 Million Over Alleged Privacy Invasion
Renowned human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), has filed a $5 million lawsuit against Meta Platforms Inc., the parent company of Facebook, over an alleged violation of his privacy rights.
The suit, instituted at a Lagos High Court, accuses Meta of publishing false and misleading information about his health status.
Falana, through his lawyer Olumide Babalola, is challenging Meta over a video published on Facebook under the page “AfriCare Health Centre.”
The video falsely claims that Falana has been suffering from prostatitis for over 16 years and had struggled to find an effective treatment.
Describing the publication as “false, misleading, and unfair,” Falana argues that it has not only damaged his reputation but also caused him emotional and psychological distress.
Citing Section 37 of the Nigerian Constitution (as amended) and the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023, Falana asserts that the publication is an unjustifiable intrusion into his private life.
He insists that he has never had prostatitis and has never granted permission for his image or name to be used in such a manner.
Falana is seeking a declaration that Meta’s continued publication of the false video constitutes an invasion of his privacy, order compelling Meta to immediately delete and remove the video from its platform and general damages of $5 million for the harm caused by the publication.
The senior lawyer decried Meta’s failure to verify the authenticity of the video before allowing it to be published on its platform.
He argues that Meta’s global reach means millions of people worldwide have viewed the false and defamatory content, which has exposed him to public ridicule and emotional distress.
He further claims that Meta’s careless and reckless handling of his name and image was motivated by commercial interests, particularly in driving advertising revenue through increased engagement on its platform.
