Femi Falana Sues Meta for $5 Million Over Alleged Privacy Violation

Human Rights Lawyer Accuses Meta of Spreading False Information

Renowned Nigerian human rights attorney, Femi Falana, SAN, has filed a $5 million lawsuit against Meta Platforms Inc., the parent company of Facebook, for an alleged breach of privacy. The lawsuit, submitted to the Lagos High Court, claims that Meta disseminated misleading and damaging information about his health without his consent.

Falana, a well-respected legal advocate, contends that a video posted on Facebook by a page called “AfriCare Health Center” falsely alleged that he had been battling prostatitis for 16 years. The video, featuring moving images and voice captions supposedly linked to him, described symptoms such as pain, discomfort, and urinary complications.

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Falana Cites Breach of Privacy and Data Protection Laws

The Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) insists that the video is entirely false and has no basis in reality. He argues that its publication violates his privacy rights as protected by Section 37 of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution. Additionally, he points to a breach of Section 24(1)(a) and (e) of the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023, which safeguards individuals from unauthorized use of their personal data.

In the fundamental rights lawsuit, filed by his attorney Olumide Babalola, Falana demands:

• A declaration that Meta’s publication infringed upon his fundamental right to privacy.
• An order compelling Meta to remove the misleading video.
• A $5 million general damages award for the emotional distress and reputational harm caused by the content.

Legal Implications and Meta’s Responsibility

Falana argues that Meta’s failure to verify the authenticity of the information before its publication demonstrates negligence and recklessness. He asserts that the social media giant used his name and image irresponsibly to attract traffic and generate advertising revenue.

“For the purpose of this suit, I do not find these stories libellous, but since they are false and fabricated against me, I find them offensive, reckless, insensitive, disturbing, and an unjustifiable intrusion into my privacy,” Falana stated in his affidavit.

He further emphasized that Meta’s global reach means the false information has been viewed by millions worldwide since its posting in January 2025. He accused the company of exposing him to undue scrutiny, ridicule, and reputational damage.

Seeking Justice Against Online Misinformation

Falana’s legal action underscores the growing concerns about misinformation and the responsibility of tech giants in regulating content on their platforms. He argues that the viral nature of the video has subjected him to unnecessary distress and that Meta must be held accountable for failing to fact-check before allowing such misleading content to spread.

As the case unfolds in court, legal analysts suggest it could set a precedent for how privacy and misinformation cases are handled in Nigeria’s digital space. If successful, the lawsuit could compel social media platforms to take greater responsibility for content regulation, especially regarding high-profile individuals.

For now, Falana seeks justice, urging the court to protect his reputation and hold Meta accountable for what he describes as a reckless and damaging violation of his privacy rights.