The legal chambers of renowned human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, have issued a formal letter demanding a retraction of defamatory statements made against his son, Folarin Falana, popularly known as Falz.
The demand was made in response to allegations linking Falz to a conversation involving Idris Okuneye, also known as Bobrisky, regarding financial assistance and legal intervention.
In a letter dated September 26, 2024, signed by Taiwo E. Olawanle, Esq., and posted on Falz’s Instagram page, Falana’s legal team addressed Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, the author of a social media post that insinuated Falz’s involvement in a scheme to secure a presidential pardon for Bobrisky, who has been embroiled in legal troubles over Naira abuse charges.
According to the documents, Bobrisky had allegedly requested legal advice and financial help from Falz, asking for N3 million to pay correctional centre officials to secure VIP treatment during his detention.
Despite being advised by Falz that such payments were unnecessary, Bobrisky insisted, leading to a refusal from Falz to provide financial support.
The document read, “To set the records straight, our client never at any point initiated a conversation with Mr Idris Okuneye. Our client has documentary evidence that Mr. Idris was in fact the one who initiated a call.
“Specifically, on the 4th of May 2024, Mr Idris Okuneye (AKA Bobrisky) contacted our client requesting a phone conversation with him. Our client gratuitously obliged, having knowledge of the Naira abuse charges leveled against him, and genuinely believing he might require legal advice.
“Mr Idris Okuneye (Aka Bobrisky) called shortly after but instead of soliciting legal advice, stated that he was in distress and needed financial assistance of about N3,000,000 (Three million Naira) which he claimed he needed to pay some officials to be permitted to stay in the VIP section of the Correctional Centre.
“Our client, in the same conversation, advised him that there was no need to pay the officials of the Correctional Centre any money. However, Mr Idris Okuneye (Aka Bobrisky) stated that his lawyers had messed up his case by asking him to plead guilty to the charges filed against him. Mr Idris Okuneye (Aka Bobrisky) insisted on his request for the money which our client continuously disapproved.”
Falana’s team emphasized that their client never solicited or agreed to assist Bobrisky financially.
Instead, they characterized the post as a “vicious, wicked and reckless” attempt to malign Falz’s reputation.
The letter demanded an immediate retraction of the offending statements within 24 hours of receiving the letter, along with a public apology across all platforms where the defamatory remarks were made.
“Be advised that if we do not receive your formal retraction and apology as demanded within 24 (twenty-four) hours of the receipt hereof, we shall proceed with our client’s instructions to seek appropriate legal remedies, including monetary damages, against you for your incendiary publication and dissemination of defamatory statements,” the letter added.
It was reported that in a viral audio released by VeryDarkMan, Bobrisky alleged that some Economic and Financial Crimes Commission operatives demanded and received N15 million from him to drop money laundering charges, according to a viral audio released by VeryDarkMan.”
The EFCC responded to the viral audio allegations made by Bobrisky, ordering an immediate investigation into the claims.
(Punch)
