Nigerian singer Folarin Falana, popularly known as Falz through the legal chambers of his father and renowned human rights lawyer, Femi Falana has demanded that social media sensation, VeryDarkMan retracts, apologize and withdraws alleged defamatory statements made against him.
NaijaOnPoint.com.ng (NOP) recalls that social media influencer cum activist, VeryDarkMan had on Tuesday September 24th, shared an explosive audio clip in which popular crossdresser Bobrisky alleged that certain Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) officers had demanded N15 million in bribes to drop money laundering charges against him.
In the purported audio conversation between Bobrisky and a male friend in which the male barbie claimed he spoke with Falz in prison and that Falz and his dad, Femi Falana, SAN, tried to get him a presidential pardon.
However, in response to allegations, Femi Falana issued a formal letter demanding a retraction of defamatory statements made against his son, Falz, giving the activist 24 hours.
In a letter dated September 26, 2024, signed by Taiwo E. Olawanle, Esq. and titled “Demand for Withdrawal and Retraction of Defamatory Statements Against Mr. Folarin Falana (AKA Falz)” clarified that “To set the record straight, our client never at any point initiated a conversation with Idris Okuneye [Bobrisky]. Our client has documentary evidence proving that Mr. Okuneye was the one who initiated contact.
“Specifically, on the 4th of May 2024, Mr Idris Okuneye (AKA Bobrisky) contacted our client requesting a phone conversation with him. Our client gratuitously obliged, having knowledge of the Naira abuse charges leveled against him, and genuinely believing he might require legal advice.
“Mr Idris Okuneye (Aka Bobrisky) called shortly after but instead of soliciting legal advice, stated that he was in distress and needed financial assistance of about N3,000,000 (Three million Naira) which he claimed he needed to pay some officials to be permitted to stay in the VIP section of the Correctional Centre.
“Our client, in the same conversation, advised him that there was no need to pay the officials of the Correctional Centre any money. However, Mr Idris Okuneye (Aka Bobrisky) stated that his lawyers had messed up his case by asking him to plead guilty to the charges filed against him. Mr Idris Okuneye (Aka Bobrisky) insisted on his request for the money which our client continuously disapproved.”
Falana’s team stressed that their client never solicited or agreed to assist Bobrisky financially.
Instead, they characterized ... as a “vicious, wicked and reckless” attempt to malign Falz’s reputation.
The letter demanded an immediate retraction of the offending statements within 24 hours of receiving the letter, along with a public apology across all platforms where the defamatory remarks were made.
“Be advised that if we do not receive your formal retraction and apology as demanded within 24 (twenty-four) hours of the receipt hereof, we shall proceed with our client’s instructions to seek appropriate legal remedies, including monetary damages, against you for your incendiary publication and dissemination of defamatory statements,” the letter added.