
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 violation of his privacy rights. The case, lodged at a Lagos High Court, centers on a video advertisement published on Meta’s platform that falsely linked Falana to a medical condition.
According to court documents, the video in question, titled “AfriCare Health Centre,” portrayed Falana as suffering from prostatitis, a condition he insists he has never had. His legal team argues that the publication, which has been widely viewed since its release in January 2023, constitutes an infringement on his fundamental rights under Section 37 of the Nigerian Constitution and the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023.
Falana is seeking a judicial declaration that the publication violates his privacy, an immediate order for Meta to remove the offending content, and $5 million in damages. He contends that the false information has tarnished his reputation, causing emotional distress and professional harm.
The case underscores growing concerns over digital privacy and accountability, especially as global tech giants increasingly face legal scrutiny over content published on their platforms.