Falana files a $5 million lawsuit against Mark Zuckerberg’s Meta over privacy invasion.

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

Renowned human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, has filed a $5 million lawsuit against Meta Platforms Inc., the U.S.-based parent company of Facebook, over an alleged invasion of his privacy. The lawsuit was filed at a Lagos High Court.

In his motion, brought under Section 37 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), Sections 24(1)(A) and (E) & 34(1)(D) of the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023, and Order 2 Rule 1 of the Fundamental Rights Enforcement Procedure Rules 2009, Falana, represented by his lawyer Olumide Babalola, accused Meta of publishing a misleading video and voice caption under the title “AfriCare Health Center” on its platform. He contends that the video falsely implies he suffers from prostatitis, a medical condition, thereby breaching his constitutional right to privacy.

Falana asserts that the publication, which was disseminated through www.facebook.com, is “false, inaccurate, misleading, and unfair.” He argues that it violates Section 24(1)(a) and (e) of the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023.

Legal Demands

Falana seeks a court declaration that Meta’s continued publication of his name, images, and purported voice in connection with the “AfriCare Health Center” video constitutes a violation of his privacy rights under Section 37 of the Nigerian Constitution. He is also requesting:

• An order directing Meta to immediately remove, erase, and delete the video from its platform.
• General damages amounting to $5 million for the harm caused to his reputation.
• Any other reliefs the court deems appropriate in the circumstances.

Grounds for the Lawsuit

Falana argues that as a well-respected legal professional, he has built his reputation over decades and has never suffered from prostatitis or any other medical condition referenced in the video. He maintains that the false publication has:

• Tarnished his reputation and credibility.
• Caused him emotional and psychological distress.
• Exposed him to ridicule and public embarrassment.

Evidence and Claims

In an affidavit supporting the lawsuit, Falana outlined his career as a fearless advocate for justice, handling constitutional law, civil rights, and public interest litigation. He stated that on January 16, 2025, he discovered the misleading video on Facebook, falsely attributing the following statement to him:

“My name is Femi Falana, and I have been battling prostatitis for over 16 years. At the age of 50, I was diagnosed with this condition. Every day, I faced pain, discomfort, and constant fatigue. I had trouble urinating, lower back pain, and other symptoms that made it difficult to live a full life. Despite consulting the best urologists in the country, no one could offer me effective treatment. I was prescribed numerous medications, physical therapy, and even surgery, but these methods only temporarily relieved the symptoms.”

Falana asserts that he has never made such statements or had any dealings with Meta regarding his health. He describes the video as a fabricated, false, and misleading depiction of his private life.

Meta’s Alleged Negligence

Falana further claims that Meta:

• Allowed the video to be published and widely distributed without verifying its authenticity.
• Benefited financially by increasing traffic to its platform through misleading content.
• Acted recklessly and insensitively, causing him undue distress.

He concludes that Meta’s actions amount to an unjustifiable intrusion into his privacy, urging the court to intervene and protect his reputation.