Meta has formally appealed a Lagos High Court judgment ordering it to pay $25,000 in damages to Femi Falana over alleged privacy violations. In its notice of appeal, Meta is asking the appellate court to overturn the earlier ruling, arguing that the trial court erred in both its interpretation of the law and its findings of fact.
- +Meta contests $25,000 Falana judgment, citing jurisdictional flaws
The company argues that Falana’s suit was improperly brought under Nigeria’s fundamental rights rules, insisting that the claims, relating to alleged reputational damage and a misleading publication, do not constitute enforceable fundamental rights violations.
The company argues that Falana’s suit was improperly brought under Nigeria’s fundamental rights rules, insisting that the claims, relating to alleged reputational damage and a misleading publication, do not constitute enforceable fundamental rights violations.
Meta also argues that the trial court lacked jurisdiction to hear the matter under that framework, rendering the judgment invalid. It further claims that the court failed to properly evaluate evidence before reaching its decision.
The dispute stems from a Facebook video that allegedly linked Falana to a health-related claim. The senior advocate argued that the content violated his right to privacy and damaged his reputation, prompting the lawsuit.
In its ruling, the Lagos High Court agreed with Falana and awarded $25,000 in damages. However, Meta is now asking the appellate court to set aside that decision in its entirety.
The company insists there is insufficient evidence to show it created, published, or directly controlled the video. It also argues that holding it liable for user-generated content sets a problematic legal precedent.
Additionally, Meta claims the damages awarded were excessive and unsupported by the facts presented at trial. It is therefore seeking to have the judgment set aside entirely.
This is not Meta’s first legal dispute over privacy violations in Nigeria. In 2024, the Nigerian Data Protection Commission fined the company for alleged breaches of the country’s data protection laws, a decision Meta also challenged, which was finalised in an out-of-court settlement.
The appeal marks a continuation of a legal battle that has drawn attention within Nigeria’s tech and legal communities. The initial ruling was widely seen as a significant moment, signalling that global technology companies could be held accountable in Nigerian courts for privacy-related claims.
Beyond the courtroom, the dispute highlights broader concerns about data protection and user rights in Nigeria. While the country has introduced frameworks like the Nigeria Data Protection Act, enforcement is still evolving, and landmark cases such as this are beginning to test those laws in practice.
Techpoint Africa previously reported that legal experts expressed mixed reactions to the original judgment. Some viewed it as a step forward for digital rights, while others warned about its potential implications for platform regulation and innovation.
As the appeal progresses, its outcome could influence not only Meta’s operations in Nigeria but also how other technology companies approach legal risks tied to user-generated content and data privacy in African markets.
