VeryDarkMan denies defamation against Femi Falana, clarifies remarks on Bobrisky audio

Popular social media critic, Martins Vincent Otse, also known as VeryDarkMan, has denied allegations of defamation made against him by prominent human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, SAN.

In a video posted on his Instagram account, VeryDarkMan expressed his admiration and respect for Falana, whom he referred to as his uncle, refuting any malicious intent behind his comments.

This development comes after Nigerian rapper, Falz, threatened legal action against VeryDarkMan following accusations that he and his father, Femi Falana, were involved in a bribery scandal linked to crossdresser Bobrisky and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The allegations surfaced after a leaked voice recording made rounds on social media.

In response, VeryDarkMan’s lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, issued a statement clarifying that his client had only questioned the authenticity of Bobrisky’s claims in the audio recording.

Adeyanju emphasized that there was no intention to defame Femi Falana, as VDM was merely analyzing the situation, not making accusatory statements.

The statement read: “We’re solicitors to Mr Martins Vicent Otse, now referred to as our client, on whose instruction we act. Our client received your letter dated September 25, 2024, on the above subject matter wherein you demanded the retraction of his Instagram publication containing a voice recording between Mr Okuneye Idris Olarenwaju (Bobrisky) and a third party.

“Our client denies defaming Mr. Femi Falana, SAN, a renowned Senior Advocate of Nigeria and globally recognised human rights activist, but asserts that he only published the said communication to get the relevant agencies and even your client to initiate a thorough investigation into the far-reaching allegations made by Mr Okuneye in the said voice recording, especially as some element of the voice recording has been confirmed by Mr Folarin Falana in his solicitor’s letter dated 25 September 2024.”

VeryDarkMan’s lawyer emphasised that the primary focus should be investigating the allegations Bobrisky allegedly made against certain EFCC officers rather than pursuing a defamation case.

“Our client holds Mr Femi Falana, SAN, in high esteem and recognises his commitment to protecting human rights and the rule of law in Nigeria. In light of the preceding, our client believes that the appropriate line of action in the circumstances is an interagency investigation into the allegations contained in the voice recording rather than pursuing a case of defamation”, Mr Adeyanju said.

In a Facebook post, Mr Adeyanju added that Falz should focus on Bobrisky, having acknowledged the call.

“For Falz: he should go and meet Bob about everything he/she said. Falz even admitted to having a phone call with Bob. End of discussion.”