Femi Falana, a prominent human rights lawyer, and his son, Folarin Falana, popularly known as Falz, have issued a formal demand for a public apology and retraction of defamatory claims made by Idris Okuneye, aka Bobrisky.
The controversy centers on audio recordings shared online, where Bobrisky allegedly claimed that he sought Falz’s assistance in persuading his father, Femi Falana, to help secure a presidential pardon, which reportedly involved a bribe of ₦10 million.
Bobrisky also allegedly requested ₦3 million from Falz for special treatment at Kirikiri Correctional Centre and claimed to have paid ₦5 million upfront to a Senior Advocate of Nigeria to secure a Federal Government pardon over charges filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Falana’s legal representatives, in a letter dated 14 October 2024, described these claims as baseless and damaging to both Falana’s and Falz’s reputations. They emphasized that no such conversations or transactions occurred and demanded a full retraction and apology from Bobrisky, to be shared across all platforms where the defamatory statements were made. The legal team also accused Bobrisky of attempting to extort money from the public under false pretenses.
According to the audios shared by media critic VeryDarkMan, Bobrisky claimed to have contacted Falz and his father, Femi Falana, to request assistance in securing a pardon for charges filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). He alleged that this process involved paying millions of naira to lawyers and officials.
The legal team also highlighted that Bobrisky appeared to have taken advantage of his imprisonment to extort money from the public by making false claims about conversations with Falz and other legal transactions. The demand for a retraction and apology underscores the gravity of the situation, as the claims not only damage their reputations but also raise questions about potential fraud and extortion by Bobrisky.
The case could have significant legal implications if it proceeds further, as defamation cases often do when public figures are involved.
“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.
Additionally, the legal team emphasised that Bobrisky had never spoken with Falana nor instructed him to write a letter of pardon. The claim of a N5 million payment was also dismissed as groundless.
“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,” the lawyers asserted.
“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.
“We hope you will urgently address the issues raised herein in your own best interest,” the legal team concluded.
According to the legal team’s statement, these claims are entirely fabricated. They emphasized that Falana had never been contacted by Bobrisky for any letter of pardon, and no such payment of ₦5 million was made. The letter also highlighted that Falana has a reputation for securing pardons for over 300 Nigerians on a pro bono basis, and the false statements have caused significant harm to his standing.
The Lagos State High Court has ruled in favor of Falana and his son, ordering VeryDarkMan to remove defamatory content related to the Falanas from social media, acknowledging the harm these allegations have caused to their public image. If VeryDarkMan fails to issue a retraction and apology within the given timeframe, legal actions, including damages, are expected to follow.
Justice M.O. Dawodu issued the ruling in suit no: ID/8584/GCM/2024 on Monday.
He ruled that the publications made by VeryDarkMan on his social media platforms on 24 September 2024, linking Bobrisky to Falz and his father, were defamatory and harmful to their public image.
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