Renowned human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, SAN, has come forward to firmly deny any connection with popular crossdresser, Idris Okuneye, better known as Bobrisky.
Falana made this clarification during an interview on Channels TV on Thursday, October 3, 2024.
He stated clearly that he has never spoken to or met Bobrisky in his lifetime and dismissed the rumours linking him to the controversial crossdresser as baseless and defamatory.
“Bobrisky never spoke to me, I have never met him, I don’t know him from Adam,” Falana said.
His comments were in response to a recent social media uproar, triggered by influencer Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, who claimed Falana and his son, popular musician and activist, Folarin Falana, better known as Falz, were involved in a bribery scheme with Bobrisky.
The allegations claimed that Falz was approached by Bobrisky for financial assistance while the crossdresser was in prison. According to Falana, his son confirmed that Bobrisky reached out to him for help, requesting N3 million to be placed in a VIP section of the prison.
However, Falz refused to assist Bobrisky, questioning the legality of such a request.
Falana explained, “My son said this guy was appealing to him for assistance, and called him saying, ‘Please, can you give me N3 million to be placed in a special part of the prison; we call it the VIP section.’”
Falz then asked Bobrisky, “Are you calling me under the authorisation of the superintendent of prisons?” When Bobrisky answered “No,” Falz cut off further communication, telling him not to contact him again without proper authorization from the prison authorities.
Falz also cautioned Bobrisky to be careful, considering he was already incarcerated.
“That was the last time my son spoke to Bobrisky,” Falana confirmed.
The accusations by VeryDarkMan against the Falana family quickly spread across social media, stirring controversy and misleading the public.
VeryDarkMan alleged that Femi Falana and his son were involved in a bribery deal to help Bobrisky secure better treatment while in prison.
This unfounded claim brought an onslaught of criticism against the prominent lawyer and his family, leading Falana to finally speak out.
In his interview, Falana firmly rejected the accusations, stating that his family had never been involved in any bribery or corruption related to Bobrisky or any other person.
“My son has never negotiated a fix on behalf of anybody,” Falana said.
He added that his children, including Falz, typically direct individuals seeking assistance to him, rather than handle such matters themselves.
In response to the defamation, Falana revealed that he has resisted filing a criminal complaint against those spreading false information, even though he had been tempted to do so.
“I have resisted the temptation to file a criminal complaint because I am leading a team of lawyers in West Africa, campaigning for the decriminalization of freedom of expression,” he explained.
Falana has built a reputation over the years as a defender of human rights and free speech, often advocating for the protection of those who speak out against injustice.
However, in this case, he has decided to take legal action by initiating civil proceedings in order to restore the integrity of his family name.
“We won’t be pushed to file a criminal complaint, but what we will do is embark on civil proceedings with a view to restoring our integrity, my own name, and that of my son,” Falana declared.
Amid the growing tension, Martins Otse, also known as VeryDarkMan, publicly tendered an apology to Falana and his family.
VeryDarkMan appeared before the Nigerian House of Representatives on Monday, where he retracted his earlier statements and offered an “unreserved apology” to Falana.
The influencer acknowledged that his allegations were inaccurate and unverified, admitting that he had made a mistake in accusing the respected lawyer of involvement in the bribery scandal.
He also expressed that he no longer believed Falana had any connection to the bribery allegations involving Bobrisky and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
“I did not believe Falana was involved in the alleged bribery leveled against crossdresser Idris Okuneye, popularly known as Bobrisky,” VeryDarkMan admitted during his apology.
This apology came after a considerable backlash and mounting pressure from both the public and legal circles.
However, despite the apology, Falana is pressing forward with civil action, determined to clear his family’s name through the courts.
Bobrisky, a well-known figure in Nigerian entertainment, has been at the center of numerous controversies over the years, but this incident stands out due to the involvement of prominent individuals like Falana and his son.
The crossdresser’s request for financial assistance while in prison sheds light on the corruption that often surrounds the Nigerian prison system, where inmates allegedly pay for better treatment or more comfortable conditions.
Bobrisky’s alleged attempt to bribe his way into a VIP section of the prison is not an isolated incident, as reports of wealthy or influential prisoners paying for special privileges have emerged in the past.
Falz’s refusal to participate in such an illegal transaction underscores the integrity of the Falana family, particularly in light of Falz’s outspoken activism against corruption in Nigeria.
