Bobrisky reply Falanas, says Verydarkman should be held accountable

Popular crossdresser Idris Okuneye, widely known as Bobrisky, has denied allegations that he paid human rights lawyer Femi Falana or his son, Folarin (aka Falz), for assistance in securing a presidential pardon during his prison ordeal.

This denial follows demands from Falana and his son for a public apology and retraction of defamatory statements made by Bobrisky in audio recordings shared online.

The controversy began after media critic Martin Otse, also known as VeryDarkMan, circulated audio clips in which Bobrisky allegedly claimed to have sought Falz’s help in persuading his father to secure a pardon, allegedly costing N10 million.

Bobrisky also purportedly stated he requested N3 million from Falz for special treatment at Kirikiri Correctional Centre and paid N5 million upfront to a Senior Advocate of Nigeria for a government pardon over charges filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Falana’s legal representatives, Olorunfemi Akinyemi and Taiwo E. Olawanle, have dismissed these claims as baseless and damaging to the reputations of both Falana and his son. They issued a letter on October 14, 2024, demanding a public retraction and apology on all platforms where the statements were shared.

In response, Bobrisky clarified that he never made any payments to Falana or his son and insisted that VeryDarkMan, who shared the defamatory content, should be held accountable for the allegations.

“I Okuneye Idris aka Bobrisky didn’t give Falz or his dad any money for pardon. As a matter of fact, no penny was given to them. Have said this before and I will say it again. The person that published an audio online should take full responsibility for what he posted in public.

“My lawyer will respond to any further information the public wants about this ongoing issue trending on social media,” Bobrisky wrote on his Instagram story on Wednesday.

In another post, the crossdresser wrote, “In reply to the two letters in circulation from the law firm of the Falanas. I like to state for the records and pending the official reply from my counsel, state for the avoidance of doubt that I Okuneye Idris Olarewaju aka Bobrisky did not publish any defamatory statement or statements concerning the learned SAN and his son Falz and that in the public domain pursuant to my solicitor’s letter dated the 27th day of September 2024 that I have denied any knowledge of what VDM published.

“I stand to express denial and put the matter to strict proof and advise that whoever has been defamed should hold the publisher of defamatory content and my fundamental rights to privacy of my communications should be respected and protected. Best.”