Falana takes Meta to court over alleged false health report, seeks $5M in damages

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 breach of privacy through the dissemination of false information about his health status.

Falana, through his legal representative, Olumide Babalola, claims that Meta published a misleading video on its platform, captioned “AfriCare Health Center,” falsely suggesting that he was suffering from prostatitis. He argues that this constitutes a violation of his fundamental right to privacy as enshrined in Section 37 of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria (as amended) and the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023.

In the lawsuit filed before a Lagos High Court, Falana maintains that the video containing both still and motion images along with voice-over was published without his consent and has since been accessed by millions worldwide. He insists that the content is false, misleading, and damaging to his reputation, which he has built over decades as a legal practitioner and public advocate.

As part of his legal demands, Falana is seeking: A court declaration that the publication of his name, images, and purported voice in the said video amounts to an invasion of his privacy, An order directing Meta to immediately remove the content from its platform, General damages amounting to $5 million for the distress and reputational harm caused.

The Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) described the publication as offensive and deeply troubling, stating that it has caused him emotional and mental distress. “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.”

Given Meta’s vast global reach, Falana expressed concern over the rapid spread of misinformation, which he says has subjected him to unwarranted scrutiny and public speculation. He is now seeking redress from the court to hold Meta accountable for what he describes as a reckless violation of his rights.