In a viral video, human rights lawyer Femi Falana states that he doesn’t know Bobrisky and has never spoken to him. Watch the video and explore the reactions to this clarification.
Femi Falana, SAN, a human rights lawyer, has denied any involvement with popular crossdresser Idris Okuneye (Bobrisky) or the alleged bribery of prison officials to allow Bobrisky serve his sentence outside the correctional facility.
In a viral video by blogger Martins Otse, also known as VeryDarkMan, it is alleged that certain unnamed EFCC officers accepted ₦15 million from Bobrisky to dismiss money laundering charges against him.
VeryDarkMan also claimed that Falana attempted to secure a presidential pardon for Bobrisky in return for N10 million.
However, during an appearance on Channels Television’s program Politics Today on Thursday, Falana stated that he had never met or spoken to Bobrisky.
Falana stated, “I have never met Bobrisky nor spoken to him; I don’t know him at all. It’s claimed that he communicated with my son Folarin (Falz).”
READ ALSO: ‘If I Say Anything, Let Me Die’: VeryDarkMan Fumes Over Bobrisky’s Absence in Court
He went on to explain, “Indeed, my son mentioned that this individual was seeking help from others and contacted him around May 4th of this year – asking if he could provide N3 million so they could be moved to a special area in the prison known as the VIP section.”
My son questioned him, “Are you contacting me with authorization from the superintendent of prisons?” He replied no and asked not to be contacted again. He stated that he could not help in bribing prison authorities and warned my son to be cautious since he’s already incarcerated for an offense.
If you plan to call me again, please go through the superintendent or send a letter approved by the prison authorities. This situation escalated when someone released tapes and falsely accused me of speaking with that person in an attempt to tarnish my reputation.
The SAN, who described the accusation as “infantile radicalism,” stated that he has helped 280 convicted individuals both domestically and internationally to receive pardons. He emphasized that neither he nor his law firm has ever requested or accepted any payment from anyone granted a pardon.
He mentioned that he has refrained from filing a criminal complaint because he is heading a team of lawyers in West Africa advocating for the decriminalization of freedom of expression.
He clarified, however, that this is not a license for defaming or blackmailing individuals. He added that they will initiate civil proceedings aimed at restoring both his and his son’s integrity.
Falana stated that they intend to use this case as a precedent, ensuring that individuals do not resort to social media to defame any Nigerian.
He stated, “We have requested a retraction and an apology, which we believe is reasonable. If we do not receive a satisfactory response, we will definitely pursue civil proceedings in the high court.”
Regarding the alleged corruption in the correctional service, Falana stated that he has been at the forefront of exposing issues within Nigerian correctional centers.
He was surprised to learn that the House of Representatives is forming a panel to evaluate the state of the country’s correctional centers.
