Controversial crossdresser Idris Okuneye, popularly known as Bobrisky, has denied claims of paying human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) and his son, Folarin Falana, also known as Falz, for securing a presidential pardon. This comes after reports surfaced that both Falana and Falz had issued a 12-hour ultimatum to Bobrisky, demanding an apology and retraction of defamatory statements made against them.
In response, Bobrisky distanced himself from the claims, denying that the voice in an audio recording circulating online belongs to him. The audio, shared by blogger Martins Vincent Otse, known as VeryDarkMan, allegedly features someone claiming Bobrisky paid N10 million to Falana and Falz for a presidential pardon related to his conviction for naira abuse.
According to SaharaReporters, a Lagos State High Court recently ordered VeryDarkMan to remove the defamatory videos and comments about Falana and Falz from all his social media platforms within 21 days.
Bobrisky, however, maintained his innocence. In an Instagram post on Wednesday night, he stated: “I, Okuneye Idris, aka Bobrisky, didn’t give Falz or his dad any money for a pardon. No money was ever given to them, and I’ve said this before and will say it again.”
He further clarified that the blogger who posted the audio should be held accountable for spreading the false claims. “My lawyer will respond to any further information the public wants about this issue trending on social media,” Bobrisky added.
In September, reports emerged that VeryDarkMan had leaked a video suggesting Bobrisky had served part of his recent jail term outside the prison. The blogger also accused Bobrisky of bribing officials from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) with N15 million to drop money laundering charges against him, and of paying N10 million to Falana and Falz for intervention in securing a presidential pardon.
Following these allegations, the EFCC launched an investigation into whether some of its officers had accepted bribes from Bobrisky.
Meanwhile, Femi Falana (SAN), through his lawyer, Olorunfemi Akinyemi, filed a pre-action notice against VeryDarkMan on September 30, 2024. The notice demanded an apology and full retraction of the defamatory statements across all of the blogger’s social media platforms. Similar demands were made by Falz, including a request for the removal of all defamatory videos and a halt to further publications.
Falz’s pre-action notice also stated, “Our client considers litigation only as a last resort and is open to resolving the issue amicably through any alternative dispute resolution method you find suitable.” The notice also sought N500 million in damages for the defamation of character caused by the online publication of September 24, 2024.
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