Meta Challenges Lagos Court Ruling Awarding $25,000 to Falana

Meta Challenges Lagos Court Ruling Awarding $25,000 to Falana

Global technology firm Meta Platforms Inc. has appealed the judgment of the Lagos State High Court which awarded $25,000 in damages to human rights lawyer Femi Falana over an alleged rights violation.

The appeal, dated April 10, 2026, stems from the suit marked LD/18843MFHR/2025, in which Justice O. A. Oresanya ruled in favour of Falana, holding that a video publication infringed on his fundamental rights.

Meta’s legal team, led by Mofesomo Tayo-Oyetibo, is contesting both the legal foundation and the procedure adopted by the trial court. The company outlined eight grounds of appeal, seeking to overturn the ruling in what observers say could shape future litigation around digital rights and platform accountability in Nigeria.

Central to Meta’s argument is a challenge to the jurisdiction of the court. The company maintained that the case was wrongly entertained under the Fundamental Rights (Enforcement Procedure) Rules, insisting that the issues raised bordered on alleged false publication and reputational damage—matters traditionally addressed under defamation law.

According to the appellant, allowing the suit to proceed as a fundamental rights case amounted to a misapplication of the law and an overreach of judicial authority.

Meta also faulted the trial court’s finding that it violated provisions of the Nigeria Data Protection Act. It argued that it was incorrectly designated as a data controller, stating that there was no proof it determined how or why the personal data in question was processed.

The company further contended that the court introduced and resolved certain issues on its own initiative without giving both parties the opportunity to address them. It also claimed that key elements of its defence were not adequately considered in the final judgment.

The case has drawn attention within legal and technology circles, as it raises critical questions about the intersection of digital platforms, personal data protection, and the enforcement of fundamental rights in Nigeria.