Renowned human rights lawyer Femi Falana and his son, Folarin Falana, better known as Falz, have issued a strong demand for a public apology and retraction from popular crossdresser Idris Okuneye, famously known as Bobrisky, over false and defamatory claims. The allegations, which have sparked public outrage, were made by Bobrisky in several audio recordings that have been circulating online.
The controversy began when audio recordings, shared by VeryDarkMan (media critic Martin Otse), revealed Bobrisky making damaging accusations about the Falanas. Bobrisky claimed that he had sought the help of Falz to convince his father, Femi Falana, to secure a presidential pardon, allegedly involving a payment of N10 million. According to Bobrisky, he also asked Falz for N3 million to ensure special treatment at Kirikiri Correctional Centre.
In a second audio recording, Bobrisky alleged that he had already paid N5 million upfront to a Senior Advocate of Nigeria to obtain the pardon, a process supposedly needed due to charges filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
However, the Falanas have strongly refuted these claims. In a letter dated October 14, 2024, addressed by their legal representatives, Olorunfemi Akinyemi and Taiwo E. Olawanle, Bobrisky is accused of making up the entire story. The letter, which has been widely circulated, demands a full retraction and a public apology from Bobrisky for the false statements that have damaged the professional and personal reputations of both Femi Falana and Falz.
The legal team made it clear that the accusations are baseless and were fabricated by Bobrisky as part of an extortion attempt targeting artists and other members of the public. “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,” the letter stated.
In one of the most detailed sections of the letter, the Falanas’ legal team addressed Bobrisky’s claims directly: “You falsely claimed in a video that Falz told you his father, Femi Falana, had agreed to write a letter of pardon for you. You also stated that N10,000,000 (Ten Million Naira) was required to bribe officials to process your pardon.” Additionally, Bobrisky’s claim of paying N5 million to another Senior Advocate was described as completely unfounded.
The Falanas, who are well-known for their integrity and public service, particularly in the field of human rights, took great offense at being implicated in an alleged bribery scheme. Femi Falana, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) with a distinguished career, has been involved in securing pardons for over 300 Nigerians on a pro bono basis, making the claims even more damaging.
The legal representatives did not mince words in their letter, accusing Bobrisky of recklessly making these defamatory statements with full knowledge that they were false. They emphasized that no conversation or transaction, as described by Bobrisky, had ever taken place. “Your decision to involve our client in your criminal activities was purely a figment of your imagination. Contrary to your baseless claims, you never instructed our client to write a letter of pardon for you,” the letter emphasized.
The letter also highlighted the gravity of the situation, pointing out that Bobrisky’s statements were not just defamatory but also malicious, intended to tarnish the Falanas’ reputations locally and internationally. In response, the legal team demanded an immediate and prominent retraction, along with an apology, to be published across all platforms where the defamatory claims were circulated.
They gave Bobrisky a strict 12-hour deadline to issue the retraction and apology, warning that failure to do so would result in legal action, including claims for monetary damages. The letter underscored the seriousness of the issue by stating that legal remedies would be pursued if Bobrisky did not comply within the specified time frame.
The dispute has generated considerable attention online, with many people rallying behind the Falanas, given Femi Falana’s long-standing reputation as an advocate for justice and human rights in Nigeria. Falz, known for his activism through music and public engagement, is also widely respected for his outspokenness on social issues, making the allegations particularly jarring to many of their supporters.
While Bobrisky is a well-known figure in Nigerian social media and entertainment circles, this latest episode has put him in direct conflict with one of Nigeria’s most respected legal figures. The crossdresser’s controversial lifestyle and frequent clashes with critics have often kept him in the public eye, but this time, the legal stakes are much higher.
As the deadline for the apology looms, many are watching closely to see whether Bobrisky will comply with the demand for retraction, or whether the case will escalate to a court battle. If the matter proceeds to litigation, it could potentially have far-reaching implications, both for Bobrisky’s reputation and for how defamation cases are handled in Nigeria’s judicial system.
This case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of truthfulness in public discourse, especially in the age of social media, where false information can spread rapidly and cause lasting damage to individuals’ reputations. For Femi Falana and Falz, the stakes are personal and professional, as they seek to clear their names and hold Bobrisky accountable for what they describe as reckless and defamatory lies.
