Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Femi Falana has taken legal action against Meta Platforms Inc., the parent company of Facebook, in a Lagos High Court, seeking $5 million in damages for an alleged invasion of his privacy.
This lawsuit, filed on February 10, 2025, marks a significant moment in the ongoing debate over digital privacy rights and the accountability of social media giants.
According to court documents, Femi Falana’s lawsuit stems from a misleading publication on Facebook under the name “AfriCare Health Centre.”
The publication included a video falsely claiming that Femi Falana had been suffering from prostatitis, an inflammatory disease of the prostate gland, for over 16 years.
Falana, through his lawyer Olumide Babalola, argues that this false representation has violated his privacy rights, as enshrined under Section 37 of Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution and further protected by the Nigeria Data Protection Act of 2023.
Femi Falana, widely recognized for his staunch advocacy in human rights and constitutional law, has never suffered from prostatitis and has had no dealings with Meta regarding his health.
He contends that Meta’s actions were reckless, with the company allegedly using his image without verification to generate traffic and boost advertising revenue.
This case underscores the growing concerns over how social media platforms handle user data and the potential for misuse in content publication.
In the lawsuit, Femi Falana is seeking a court declaration stating that Meta’s publication constituted an unlawful invasion of his privacy.
Additionally, he requests an order for the immediate removal of the video from Facebook and is claiming general damages of $5 million for the reputational harm and emotional distress caused by the false publication.
The legal action has sparked discussions on the responsibilities of social media platforms in content moderation and the enforcement of privacy laws in the digital age.
It comes at a time when digital platforms are under increasing scrutiny for how they manage user privacy and data.
Notably, this lawsuit follows a trend of legal challenges against Meta Platforms, including a significant privacy lawsuit settlement in the United States in 2023, where Meta agreed to pay substantial fines for privacy violations.
Legal experts are watching this case closely, as it could set precedents for how privacy invasion cases are handled in Nigeria, especially concerning international tech companies.
“This case could very well influence how Nigerian courts interpret and enforce privacy laws against global digital entities,” commented a legal analyst who wished to remain anonymous.
Femi Falana has been vocal about his reasons for initiating the lawsuit, emphasizing the need to protect his image from further damage and to hold Meta accountable for its content publishing practices.
“This action is not just about me; it’s about setting a standard for privacy respect and data protection in Nigeria and beyond,” Falana stated in a press release.
As the case progresses, there is anticipation regarding the potential outcomes, which could range from a significant financial penalty for Meta to stricter regulations enforced on how social media platforms operate within Nigeria.
The legal battle could also encourage more individuals to stand up against privacy violations in the digital realm.
Meta Platforms has yet to respond publicly to the lawsuit, but the tech community and privacy advocates are keenly observing how this situation unfolds, recognizing it as a pivotal moment for digital rights in Africa.
