Folakemi Falana, daughter of prominent human rights lawyer Femi Falana, has firmly rejected allegations of bribery and corruption involving her family, Nigerian musician Falz, and socialite Idris Okuneye, popularly known as Bobrisky.
Naijaonpoint reports that this statement comes in the wake of audio recordings released by social media influencer Martin Otse, known as VeryDarkMan, in which Bobrisky purportedly claimed that both Femi Falana and Falz had contacted him prior to his prison release.
The recordings further suggested that Femi Falana had negotiated a settlement of ₦10 million to resolve the case. In response, Falz issued a 24-hour ultimatum to VeryDarkMan, demanding a retraction of the defamatory statements.
Addressing the situation on her Instagram account, Folakemi refuted the claims, clarifying that her father has never met or communicated with Bobrisky.
She asserted that Bobrisky had only sought financial assistance from Falz during his time in prison, aiming to secure a more comfortable stay in the VIP section, and that no discussions regarding a presidential pardon took place.
To support her assertions, Folakemi shared documents indicating that Falana & Falana Chambers has been providing free legal assistance for individuals seeking presidential pardons since 2016.
She highlighted the fact that any Nigerian citizen can request a pardon for a convicted individual and emphasized that her family’s efforts in such matters have been transparent and offered at no cost.
Folakemi expressed disappointment over the dissemination of false rumors, particularly those suggesting that Falz is homosexual or involved with Bobrisky.
She criticized the willingness of some Nigerians to accept unfounded claims and urged the public to exercise critical thinking.
Folakemi wrote, “My Parents and our firm, Falana & Falana have been applying for presidential pardons for Nigerians FREE way before a lot of you were born or before you could talk. Slide 1 is from 2016 and Slide 2 is from 2022.
“It’s crazy that some Nigerians act like they can’t read or think for themselves. It’s unfortunate.
“It’s even crazier that all it takes is for a ridiculous character like VDM to accuse my dad and Falz of bribery, corruption and perversion of the course of Justice and you suddenly forget who they are and what they stand for. For him to have the audacity to go as far as even accusing Falz of being homosexual and having an affair with Bobrisky is wild. The fact that some of you believe it, is what is blowing my mind.
“For the record, anyone can write the president to request a pardon for any convicted person in Nigeria.
“To be crystal clear, the facts are as follows: 1) My dad has never met or talked to Bobrisky whether directly or via a proxy.
“2) Bobrisky reached out to Falz the same way he reached out to many other celebrities asking for money. The reason he gave was so that he could afford to stay in the VIP section of prison. He never discussed a presidential pardon with him. He said he was reaching out from prison Falz had no reason to believe otherwise.
“3) DO you think my dad or Falz need Bob’s money??? for what?.”
Folakemi denounced the allegations as unfounded and warned VDM of impending legal action, stating, “Seeing as you have refused to do the needful, #verydarkblackman see you in court.”