Nigerian crossdresser Idris Okuneye, popularly called Bobrisky, has asked human rights activist and lawyer Femi Falana and his son, Folarin, popularly known as Falz, to hold controversial media critic Martin Otse, also known as VeryDarkMan, responsible for the defamatory content circulating on social media.
Bobrisky clarified that he never gave Falana or his son any money to get a presidential pardon during his prison ordeal.
Bobrisky’s response comes on the heels of Falana and Falz’s demand for a public apology and retraction of defamatory statements made by the popular crossdresser in audio recordings circulating online.
Chronicle NG reports that in one of the audios shared by VeryDarkMan, Bobrisky claimed that he had spoken with Falz, requesting his assistance in persuading his father (Falana) to help secure a presidential pardon, which allegedly cost N10 million.
The crossdresser further claimed that he requested Falz for N3 million to get special treatment in Kirikiri Correctional Centre.
In another audio clip supplied by VeryDarkMan, Bobrisky claimed to have paid N5 million upfront to a Senior Advocate of Nigeria in order to obtain a Federal Government pardon for accusations brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
However, in a letter dated October 14, 2024, Falana’s legal lawyers, Olorunfemi Akinyemi and Taiwo E. Olawanle, accused Bobrisky of making false and defamatory comments about Falana and his son’s role in the purported bribery and pardon.
Bobrisky’s charges, according to the legal team, are completely false and harm Falana’s reputation.
They wanted a complete retraction and apology, which would be published on all sites where the words were spread.
In response to the demand, Bobby stated that he had never given money to Falana or his son in exchange for a presidential pardon.
The crossdresser contended that the sharer of the defamatory content should be held accountable for his actions.
“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. I have said this before, and I will say it again. The person who 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, he 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 learnt SAN and his son Falz and that in the public domain, pursuant to my solicitor’s letter dated the 27th day of September 2024, 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.”
