A public apology and the retraction of defamatory statements made by the well-known crossdresser Idris Okuneye, also known as Bobrisky, in audio recordings that are making the rounds online assert that he paid N5 million upfront to a Senior Advocate of Nigeria in an effort to obtain a Federal Government pardon over charges brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, are what human rights activist and lawyer Femi Falana and his son Folarin, also known as Falz, have demanded.
Bobrisky claimed to have spoken with Falz and asked for help persuading his father (Falana) to help secure a presidential pardon, which allegedly cost N10 million. He also claimed to have asked Falz for N3 million to secure special treatment at Kirikiri Correctional Centre, according to one of the audios shared by controversial media critic Martin Otse, also known as VeryDarkMan.
But in a letter dated October 14, 2024, sent on Wednesday by Falana’s attorneys, Olorunfemi Akinyemi and Taiwo E. Olawanle, Bobrisky was charged with making false and defamatory claims regarding Falana and his son’s alleged involvement in the bribery and pardon. The attorneys called Bobrisky’s claims completely baseless and damaging to Falana’s reputation, and as such, they demanded a full retraction and apology to be posted on all platforms where the statements were shared. The letter said, ”
The letter read, “We are Counsel to Mr. Femi Falana SAN and Mr. Folarin Falana aka Falz (hereinafter referred to as ‘our clients’), on whose behalf we write this letter regarding your slanderous statements against them.
“We have confirmed that you took advantage of your recent imprisonment to extort money from a group of artists and other members of the public.
READ ALSO: Seun Kuti To Nigerians: Protests Alone Will Not Bring Change
You will recall that on 4 May 2024, you called Mr. Folarin Falana, popularly known as Falz, and requested N3,000,000 (Three Million Naira) to secure special treatment at Kirikiri Correctional Centre.
“Although Falz refused your request, you falsely claimed in a video that he told you his father, our client, had agreed to write a letter of pardon for you. You also stated that our client had spoken with you and that N10,000,000 (Ten Million Naira) was required to bribe officials to process your pardon.”
“In another video, you claimed to have paid N5,000,000 (Five Million Naira) upfront to a Senior Advocate of Nigeria to secure a Federal Government pardon over charges filed against you by the EFCC. You further alleged that the Senior Advocate initially requested N10,000,000 (Ten Million Naira) for his legal services but, due to your frozen account, you could not raise the full amount.”
Falana’s legal team made it clear that no such talk had ever occurred and that Bobrisky’s accusations were a smear intended to damage Falana’s reputation in the business world while demanding money from the general public.
“In fact, you have published a list of individuals who believed your fabricated story and contributed millions of naira, supposedly to pay our client to write a letter of pardon and bribe public officers on your behalf.
“Your decision to involve our client in your criminal activities was purely a figment of your imagination.
“Contrary to your baseless claims, you never instructed our client to write a letter of pardon for you,” the letter further stated.
Furthermore, the defence team stressed that Bobrisky had never communicated with Falana or given him instructions on how to draft a letter of pardon. The N5 million payment allegation was likewise rejected as unfounded.
“It is clear that you made these defamatory statements recklessly, knowing full well that you did not call our client to request a letter of pardon. Our client has NEVER spoken to you regarding your pardon or any other matter.
“Given that our client has secured pardons for over 300 Nigerians convicted by military and civilian courts in Nigeria, Libya, Thailand, and The Gambia on a pro bono basis, your defamatory statements have severely damaged his reputation, both locally and internationally.
“We, therefore, demand an immediate retraction of your defamatory and derogatory statements, along with a prominently aired or published apology on all platforms where your false statements have been shared.
“If we do not receive your formal retraction and apology within 12 (twelve) hours of your receipt of this letter, we will proceed with our client’s instructions to pursue legal remedies, including seeking monetary damages, for your malicious defamatory statements.
The legal team added, “We hope you will urgently address the issues raised herein in your own best interest.”
Recall that on Monday, in a ruling in suit no. ID/8584/GCM/2024, Justice M.O. Dawodu of the Lagos State High Court ordered VeryDarkMan to take down disparaging remarks and videos about Falana and his son Folarin from his social media accounts.
According to his ruling, linking Bobrisky to Falz and his father, were defamatory and damaging to their public image in the social media posts made by VeryDarkMan on September 24, 2024.
