Global technology firm Meta Platforms, Inc. has filed an appeal seeking to overturn a Lagos State High Court decision that ruled in favour of human rights lawyer Femi Falana in a dispute involving alleged rights violations linked to an online video publication.
The ruling, delivered by Justice O. A. Oresanya, had earlier awarded $25,000 in damages to Falana after the court found that his rights were breached in connection with the circulation of the video in question.
In its appeal filed on April 10, 2026, Meta argued that the High Court misapplied the law by treating the matter as a fundamental rights enforcement case instead of a defamation-related issue. The company insists the nature of the complaint falls outside constitutional rights proceedings.
Meta, represented by legal counsel led by Mofesomo Tayo-Oyetibo, also challenged the court’s jurisdiction, arguing that it lacked the authority to hear and determine the case under the procedure adopted by the claimant.
The company further contended that it cannot be held responsible for content uploaded by third-party users, maintaining that it operates as a digital intermediary without editorial control over materials posted on its platforms.
At the centre of the appeal is also the court’s reliance on the doctrine of undisclosed principal, which Meta described as misapplied, insisting there was no proven agency relationship between the company and the entity responsible for uploading the video.
Meta additionally rejected the finding that it violated provisions of Nigeria’s data protection laws, arguing that it does not determine how user content is processed in the manner described by the trial court.
The company is also asking the appellate court to set aside the damages awarded, describing the sum as excessive and unsupported by the facts presented during trial.
Beyond the legal interpretations, Meta raised concerns about procedural fairness, claiming that certain issues were introduced and decided without adequate opportunity for both sides to respond.
The appeal sets the stage for a significant legal test on the boundaries of online platform liability, especially in relation to user-generated content and the enforcement of fundamental rights in Nigeria.