Falana Drags Meta to Court Over Alleged Privacy Invasion

Human rights activist Femi Falana has filed a $5 million lawsuit against Meta Platforms Inc. at a Lagos High Court, alleging that the company invaded his privacy by publishing false information about his health.

According to Falana, Meta published motion images and voice captions on their website, claiming that he suffered from a disease called ‘Prostatitis’.

Falana’s lawyer, Olumide Babalola, argued that this publication constitutes an invasion of Falana’s privacy, as guaranteed by Section 37 of the Nigerian Constitution.

The lawsuit was filed under Section 37 of the 1999 Constitution and the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023. Falana claimed that the publication is “false, inaccurate, misleading, and unfair” and violates the Nigeria Data Protection Act.

Falana is seeking a declaration that Meta’s publication invaded his privacy, as well as an order to remove the offending video from their platform. He is also seeking $5 million in general damages, citing the harm caused to his reputation and the mental and emotional distress he has suffered.

In his submission, Falana stated, “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”.

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