BRIBERY CLAIMS: Falana says he never met or spoke to Bobrisky

Renowned human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, on Thursday, categorically denied any involvement in the alleged bribery scandal surrounding popular crossdresser, Idris Okuneye, known as Bobrisky.

Falana’s denial comes after a viral video by blogger Martins Otse, aka VeryDarkMan, claimed that unnamed EFCC officers collected ₦15 million from Bobrisky to drop money laundering charges.

In an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Falana stated, “Bobrisky never spoke to me, I have never met him, I do not know him from Adam.”

He revealed that Bobrisky had contacted his son, Folarin (Falz), seeking financial assistance to secure a VIP section in prison, but Falz declined, advising Bobrisky to follow proper channels.

Read Also: Polytechnic teachers give Nigerian govt strike notice over unresolved demands

“Yes, my son said this guy was appealing to people for assistance and called my son I think on May 4 this year – please can you give me N3 million to be placed in a special part of the prison, we call it the VIP section.

“My son asked him, are you calling me under the authorization of the superintendent of prisons? He said no – please don’t call me again, I am unable to assist you to bribe the prison authorities and be very careful since you are already in prison for an offence.

“Please if you are you are going to call me next time, you either do through the superintendent or you write a letter endorsed by the prison authorities and that was the last. Somebody now start releasing tapes somewhere and went out to lampoon and rather defame me by saying the guy has spoken to me.”

Falana emphasized that he has assisted 280 convicted individuals in obtaining pardons without demanding or receiving payment.

He labeled the allegations “infantile radicalism” and stressed that advocating for freedom of expression does not justify defamation and blackmail.

The lawyer has demanded a retraction and apology from VeryDarkMan, threatening civil proceedings in the high court if unacceptable.

Falana aims to set a precedent, ensuring that individuals cannot recklessly defame others on social media.

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now