A new development has emerged in the ongoing controversy surrounding Bobrisky’s allegations of bribery and corruption involving officials from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). On September 26, 2024, Folarin Falana, popularly known as Falz, through his legal team, issued a formal demand for a retraction and apology from Martins Vincent Otse, also known as VeryDarkMan, following a defamatory statement made in connection with the Bobrisky saga.
This follows an initial report by The Metro on September 25, 2024, which highlighted the viral accusations from Bobrisky. In that report, Bobrisky, through a voice note, claimed that he had paid officials N15 million to delete charges of money laundering and secure better treatment during his prison term. The claims sparked widespread outrage online, with many questioning the involvement of high-profile figures in the scandal.
In the aftermath, Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known for his strong social media presence under the handle @verydarkblackman, posted a controversial statement on Instagram, dragging Falz’s name into the allegations. Otse’s post read: “In everything and everyone that is mentioned here, I will be disappointed if truly FALZ and his father are involved in this whole Bobrisky issue…”
Falz’s legal team has now taken swift action, issuing the following press statement, which reads:
DEMAND FOR WITHDRAWAL AND RETRACTION OF DEFAMATORY STATEMENT AGAINST MR FOLARIN FALANA (AKA FALZ).
“We are Counsel to Mr. FOLARIN FALANA (AKA FALZ) (hereinafter referred to as ‘our client’). We write you this letter on his behalf regarding your publication and/or dissemination of defamatory statements against him.
Your publication of September 25, 2024, on your Instagram page captioned, ‘In everything and everyone that is mentioned here, I will be disappointed if truly FALZ and his father are involved in this whole Bobrisky issue…’ has been drawn to our notice wherein you made some defamatory statements against our client.
To set the records straight, our client never at any point initiated a conversation with Mr. Idris Okuneye. Our client has documentary evidence that Mr. Idris was in fact the one who initiated a call.
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.
Without contacting our client, you went ahead to publish a careless statement containing multiple allegations including an insinuation that our client is involved in a homosexual affair and intended to get a presidential pardon for Mr. Idris Okuneye.
The direct meaning, imputation, purport and/or innuendo of the false, misleading, and defamatory statement is that:
1. Our client, Mr. Folarin Falana (Aka Falz), connived with Bobrisky to pervert the course of justice and is complicit in the upturning of justice for financial gains.
2. Our client is participating in a device that constitutes subterfuge and lacks integrity, in concert with others whom you also characterize as corrupt.
3. Our client’s posturing as a human rights activist is deceitful and false.
The entire publication was a vicious, wicked, and reckless ploy to impugn the reputation of our client and lower him in the estimation of right-thinking members of the public.
We, therefore, demand an immediate retraction of the offensive and derogatory publication as well as an apology prominently published on all the platforms to which you have disseminated it without any justification whatsoever.
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.
We hope that the salient issue raised herein will urgently be addressed by you in your best interest.”
The legal action taken by Falz’s team further intensifies the situation surrounding the Bobrisky bribery saga. The Take It Back Movement and other activist groups have also been monitoring developments closely. Falz, known for his activism, has built a reputation as a fearless advocate for human rights, which is now being defended through legal means.
With the deadline for retraction looming, all eyes are on VeryDarkMan’s next move and whether he will comply or face legal consequences.
