News
Femi Falana Files $5 Million Suit Against Meta for Alleged Invasion of Privacy
A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Femi Falana has filed a $5, 000, 000 (Five million US dollar) suit before a Lagos High Court against the United States of America-based organization Meta Platforms Inc., over alleged invasion of his privacy.
Falana, through his lawyer, Olumide Babalola, accused Meta of publishing motion images and voice captioned, “AfriCare Health Center,” on their website to the effect that he suffered a disease known as ‘Prostatitis’ which the lawyer claimed constitutes an invasion of his privacy as guaranteed by section 37 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999.
The suit was filed pursuant to Section 37 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and Section 24(1)(A) and (E) & Section 34(1)(D) of Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023, Order 2 Rule 1 Fundamental Rights Enforcement Procedure Rules, 2009.
In documents put before the court, Falana claimed the publication and the video as released through the organization’s platform -www.facebook.com, is “false, inaccurate, misleading and unfair to him and thereby violates the provision of section 24(1)(a) and (e) of the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023.”
The Senior Advocate is therefore asking the court for a declaration that the “Respondents continued publication of the Applicants name, still and motion images and purported voice on a page and video captioned ‘AfriCare Health Centre’ on their platform – www.facebook.com to the effect that the Applicant suffered from a disease known as ‘Prostatitis constitutes an invasion of the Applicants privacy guaranteed by section 37 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999.”
He is also asking the court for an order mandating the “Respondents to forthwith remove, erase and delete the video captioned ‘AfriCare Health Centre’ on their platform – www.facebook.com.”
For the damages the publication has caused him, Falana is asking for general damages of $5, 000, 000 (five million US dollars) and any consequential order that the court may deem fit to grant in the circumstance.
Falana says that the published false video about his health status has rubbished his image and the name he built over the years.
He argued that the publication by the respondent which is false, offensive, and disturbing paints him in a false light, that has caused him mental and emotional disturbances.
The grounds upon which the originating processes were instituted were that the applicant as a reputable person is guaranteed the enjoyment of the fundamental right to privacy under Section 37 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) and that the respondents published the applicant’s name and images and ascribed a false illness to him and thereby violated his right to privacy guaranteed by the Constitution and Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023 and he has suffered emotional and psychological distress as a result of the false story.
In the affidavit in support of the motion, Falana claimed that he is known for his fearless legal battles, often taking on cases against government policies and actions that infringe upon the rights of citizens, and that his law practice covers a broad range of areas, including constitutional law, civil rights, public interest litigation, and international human rights law.
He said further that he is recognized for his work in defending freedom of expression, advocating for the rights of marginalized groups, and challenging governmental overreach.
Falana alleged that the respondent is a media company operating a global social media platform known as www.facebook.com. and that on the 16th day of January 2025, he discovered a video of his person was posted on the Respondent’s platform under a page named “AfriCare Health Centre” on the Respondent’s platform – www.facebook.com. which he tendered as an Exhibit in the suit.
He stated: “In the video that carries my name and picture, I am reported to have said: ‘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. I had trouble urinating lower back pain and other symptoms that made it difficult to live a full life. Despite consulting the best urologist in the country, no one could offer me effective treatment, I was prescribed numerous medications, physical therapy even surgery but the problem was that these methods only temporarily relieved the symptoms.”
He lamented the wrongful publication and insisted that he has been greatly prejudiced by the respondent’s video on the grounds that his health life is part of his private life and he has never suffered any disease known as ‘Prostatitis’ in his life.
The SAN submitted that “I have never had any dealing with the respondent or its pages on issues with my health life. The video and its contents are false, inaccurate, misleading, and unfair to me. The video paints me in a false light and as such is an invasion of my privacy.”
He claimed that the respondent operates global platforms and anything published on these platforms is accessed and viewed by millions of people around the world. Hence, the stories have been viewed by millions of people since January 2023 when they were published on the respondent’s platforms.
Falana said, “For the purpose of this suit, I do not find these stories libelous but since they are false and fabricated against me, I find them offensive, reckless, insensitive, disturbing, and an unjustifiable intrusion into my privacy by painting me in a false light.
“By the video, the Respondent’s page has given me publicity that paints me in a false light as the insinuations in the video are false and they infringe my right to privacy right to be let alone.
“At the time of deposing to this affidavit, the video has been published to the entire world on the Internet, and it has remained there for several weeks.
“For their failure to verify the page and video before publishing, I believe the Respondent’s publicity of my name and image in a false light was done carelessly and recklessly to draw traffic to the Respondent’s platform to boost its advertisement revenues.
“I believe that the respondent’s use of my name and image in the video is unfair and insensitive to my feelings since they never verified the claims as expected.
“I find the respondents’ publicity of my photograph and name in a false light highly offensive and emotionally disturbing. This continues to cause me anxiety, sadness, and exposure to ridicule.”
He therefore asked the court to rescue and save his image from being ruined.
The Rural Electrification Agency (REA) and the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to conduct a nationwide energy survey aimed at closing long-standing data gaps in Nigeria’s power sector. The initiative is expected to guide policy, attract investment, and accelerate universal electricity access.
Signed in Abuja, the agreement establishes a National Energy Survey based on the Multi-Tier Tracking Framework (MTF), a globally recognized methodology that measures electricity access not only by grid connection but also by quality, affordability, reliability, and usage of electricity and clean cooking solutions.
The survey will be implemented under the Energy Sector Management Assistance Program (ESMAP) of the World Bank. Dr. Abba Aliyu, REA Managing Director/CEO, said the partnership underscores REA’s commitment to evidence-based rural electrification planning and will generate detailed insights on electricity access and off-grid solutions nationwide.
Prince Adeyemi Adeniran, Statistician-General of the Federation/CEO of NBS, emphasized that reliable statistics are essential for effective policymaking, assuring that NBS will provide technical oversight, sampling expertise, and quality assurance to meet global standards.
The survey will assess energy access, household affordability, expenditure patterns, and the adoption of off-grid technologies such as solar home systems, mini-grids, and clean cooking solutions. REA will provide sector expertise and policy alignment, while NBS manages regulatory approvals, methodology, and technical supervision.
Funded and technically overseen by the World Bank, the exercise will run for 18 months, with the resulting data expected to improve national energy planning, programme targeting, and private sector investment, particularly in underserved and rural communities.
Officials said the collaboration reflects the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening inter-agency coordination, enhancing energy data availability, and advancing Nigeria’s goal of universal electricity and clean cooking access.
The Stakeholders in Blockchain Technology Association of Nigeria (SiBAN), the nation’s foremost self-regulatory body for the blockchain industry, has completed its election cycle, heralding the beginning of a new executive council dedicated to scaling Nigeria’s digital economy.
The highly anticipated elections concluded recently with the emergence of a new leadership team poised to champion industry standards, foster innovation, and drive widespread adoption of blockchain technology across the country.
The newly elected executives, who will officially assume their roles in January 2026, represent a blend of legal, financial, and technical expertise critical for navigating the evolving regulatory landscape.
Leading the charge is Mela Claude-Ake, a lawyer, who has been elected the President of SiBAN to succeed the outgoing President, Obinna Iwuno, whose tenure was marked by significant achievements, including facilitating crucial reforms and forging strategic partnerships with regulators and other critical stakeholders in the digital asset industry. Mr. Iwuno will formally hand over the reins to the new council in January 2026.
Other elected to the executive council are Chimene Chinah – Vice President 1, in charge of Blockchain education and adoption; Oroke Cornelius – Vice President 2, in charge of membership, strategic partnerships, and funding; and Ayo Shonibare – Vice President 3, in charge of policy, regulation, and ethics.
Others are Ugochukwu Peters – Vice President 4 in charge of digital asset operations and capital markets, Mbene Vivian – Chief strategy officer in charge of projects and incubation, Olufunmilayo Tugbobo as Financial Secretary/Chief Financial Officer, and Chiemeka David Ohajionu as Chief Communications Officer.
The newly elected council’s structure reflects SiBAN’s commitment to addressing key pillars of the blockchain ecosystem: from grassroots education and fostering innovation through projects, to establishing robust regulatory frameworks.
In his acceptance speech, Mela Claude-Ake emphasized the vital role SiBAN plays in shaping the future of finance and technology in Nigeria.
“The trust placed in this new council is not one we take lightly. We inherit a great foundation built by the outgoing team. Our mission now is to accelerate. We stand at a critical juncture where the potential of blockchain to revolutionize every sector, from finance and governance to supply chain, is undeniable. This new council will focus relentlessly on advancing smart, collaborative regulation, democratizing blockchain education, and protecting the interests of all stakeholders to ensure that Nigeria remains a leader in the African digital economy space,” he assured.
He added that he is humbled by the opportunity to be the face of one of Nigeria’s youngest and most promising sectors — blockchain tech.
“As a tech enthusiast I am excited at the possibilities. The ecosystem needs careful nurturing by the government. My administration will be focused on building new bridges for the blockchain sector internationally and domestically, establishing trust with the public and unifying the sector. I enjoin all blockchain stakeholders in Nigeria, connected to Nigeria or of nigerian heritage to join hands together with my administration in building the industry of our dreams.”
The industry now looks forward to the handover ceremony in January 2026 and the initiatives the new SiBAN leadership will unveil to solidify the association’s role as a catalyst for innovation and a respected partner to the Nigerian government.
The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has approved the appointment of Mr. Abimbola Tooki as Special Adviser on Media and Communication Strategy.
Mr. Abimbola Tooki
The appointment reflects the Chairman’s confidence in Mr. Tooki’s vast experience, professional pedigree, and proven capacity to deploy strategic communication in strengthening party cohesion, public engagement, and effective message delivery at both national and international levels.
Mr. Tooki is a celebrated journalist, columnist, and media strategist with deep expertise in governance reporting, crisis communication, information management, and team leadership.
He is widely regarded for his ability to bring institutions closer to the people through the effective use of conventional and digital media platforms.
His career demonstrates a consistent track record of innovation, results-oriented leadership, and excellence in managing internal and external communications.
A versatile Information and Communications Technology (ICT) editor for many years, Mr. Tooki managed and developed influential ICT and business sections in leading newspapers, contributing significantly to public understanding of technology and economic issues.
He also pioneered major newsroom initiatives, including the establishment of specialised ICT publications, and is respected for his sharp analytical skills and solution-driven approach in fast-paced environments.
His professional journey spans several reputable media organisations, culminating in his role as Editor of BusinessWorld Newspaper, where he oversees editorial direction, production, administration, and corporate management.
He previously rose through the ranks at Financial Standard, earning rapid promotions due to exceptional performance, intellectual depth, and dedication to duty.
Mr. Tooki is also a familiar face and respected voice in broadcast media, serving over the years as a guest analyst on platforms such as Channels Television and other national stations, where he analyses major headlines, public policy, and issues of national importance.
Academically, he holds an MBA from Obafemi Awolowo University, a Postgraduate Diploma in Journalism from the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, and a Bachelor’s degree in Language Arts from the University of Ilorin.
In his new role, Mr. Tooki is expected to provide strategic direction for the Chairman’s media engagement, strengthen the APC’s communication architecture, manage reputation and messaging, and enhance the party’s interface with stakeholders, the press, and the Nigerian public.
The APC congratulates Mr. Abimbola Tooki on his appointment and wishes him success as he brings his wealth of experience, energy, and professionalism to bear in support of the Chairman and the party at large
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