Meta Appeals $25,000 Damages Awarded to Falana
• Naijanews • Politics
Meta Platforms Inc. has initiated an appeal against a judgment from the Lagos State High Court that awarded human rights lawyer Falana $25,000 in damages. The ruling, delivered by Justice O. Oresanya, favored Falana in a case concerning alleged violations of rights related to a video published by Meta. The appeal, scheduled for April 10, 2026, is registered under suit number LD/18843MFHR/2025. Meta's legal team, led by Mofesomo Tayo Oyetibo, SAN, has filed a notice of appeal containing eight grounds challenging the high court's decision. The company argues that the trial court improperly entertained the suit as a fundamental rights enforcement matter and claims that the allegations fall under defamation law rather than rights enforcement. Meta also contends that it did not publish the disputed video, which was created and uploaded by an independent third party, and emphasizes that it should not be held liable as a digital intermediary. The appeal questions the trial court's conclusion regarding violations of the Nigeria Data Protection Act and asserts that the damages awarded were unwarranted.
Topics: Legal, Human Rights