Renowned human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), and his son, Nigerian rapper Folarin Falana, popularly known as Falz, have issued a legal demand for a public apology and retraction from popular crossdresser Idris Okuneye, also known as Bobrisky, over defamatory claims made in audio recordings circulating online.
In the recordings, Bobrisky in the leaked audio alleged that he had approached Falz for assistance in persuading his father to secure a presidential pardon, with a bribe of N10 million. He further claimed to have asked Falz for N3 million to receive special treatment while imprisoned at Kirikiri Correctional Centre.
Additionally, Bobrisky in the leaked audio asserted that he had paid N5 million upfront to a Senior Advocate of Nigeria to obtain a Federal Government pardon related to charges filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
Falana’s legal representatives, Olorunfemi Akinyemi and Taiwo E. Olawanle, issued a letter dated October 14, 2024, describing the claims as false and damaging to the reputations of both Falana and his son.
The letter, seen by journalists on Wednesday, demanded a public retraction of the statements and an apology on all platforms where the defamatory claims were shared.
The letter read: “We are Counsel to Mr. Femi Falana SAN and Mr. Folarin Falana aka Falz, 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.”
Addressing Bobrisky’s claim that Falana agreed to assist in securing a pardon for N10 million, the legal team stated, “You falsely claimed in a video that Mr. Folarin Falana told you his father had agreed to write a letter of pardon for you. You also alleged that our client had spoken with you and that N10 million was required to bribe officials to process your pardon.”
The letter further clarified that no such conversations occurred, branding Bobrisky’s allegations as attempts to extort the public and tarnish Falana’s reputation. “Your decision to involve our client in your criminal activities was purely a figment of your imagination,” it read.
The letter added that Bobrisky had never spoken to Falana, and no payments were made regarding any pardon.
The lawyers emphasized that Bobrisky’s defamatory statements have had a severe impact on Falana’s reputation, particularly due to his history of securing pardons for Nigerians convicted abroad, which he has done pro bono.
“Given that our client has secured pardons for over 300 Nigerians convicted by military and civilian courts… your defamatory statements have severely damaged his reputation, both locally and internationally.”
The letter concluded by demanding a swift retraction and apology within 12 hours of receipt, warning that legal action, including a claim for damages, would follow if Bobrisky failed to comply.
Meanwhile, the Lagos State High Court has ordered controversial media critic Martin Otse, also known as VeryDarkMan, to take down videos and posts linking Falz and his father to the alleged bribery.
Justice M.O. Dawodu, presiding over the case, ruled that the publications made on September 24, 2024, were defamatory and harmful to the reputations of both Falana and Falz.
