Social media influencer Martins 'VDM' Otse has denied defaming human rights lawyer Femi Falana and his son, singer Falz, ahead of the hearing of a defamation suit filed against him at the Ikeja High Court in Lagos , on Thursday.
In September, PREMIUM TIMES reported that VDM posted a leaked audio clip of Bobrisky on his Instagram page, in which the crossdresser implicated Falz and his father.
Bobrisky, whose real name is Idris Okuneye, alleged that while he was incarcerated at the Kirikiri Correctional Centre, Falz and his father contacted him to facilitate a “presidential pardon” for a fee of N10 million.
However, Falana and his son denied the allegation and demanded that VDM apologize and retract his statement, which they called “defamatory”, within 24 hours.
When the social media influencer did not retract the statement or apologize, the Lagos State High Court ordered VDM to remove the defamatory comments and videos he made about Falana and her son in September.
Justice MO Dawodu made the order in response to Mr Falana's preliminary application for preventive measures to stop VDM from further defaming him and his son.
The order followed Mr Falana's ex parte origination application filed on October 9. In the ex parte application, heard by the judge on October 10, Mr Falana sought several preventive orders against VDM before the hearing of the substantive application.
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He also requested permission to notify VDM through substitute means, such as notifying his attorney of the lawsuit.
Femi Falana
Court hearing
Meanwhile, in a video posted on his Instagram page on Wednesday, VDM reiterated that the video he posted in September simply exposed corruption.
The social media influencer also stated that he arrived in Lagos with his lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, for the hearing of the suit filed against him by the 66-year-old man and his son at the Ikeja High Court.
VDM revealed that the hearing of the defamation suit is scheduled to begin tomorrow (Thursday) at 9:00 am
He said: “I just arrived in Lagos for the Femi Falana case against me, scheduled for tomorrow (Thursday) at the Ikeja High Court at 9:00 am. I arrived in Lagos before that. As everyone knows, they (Falana and Falz) said that I defamed them, but for me, what I exposed is corruption. I see things that don't make sense, like someone going to prison and not serving their sentence or the EFCC, which is supposed to catch people involved in corruption, collecting money.
“That's what I explained. But unfortunately, some people (Falana and Falz) whose names were mentioned said that I should have informed them before posting things like that about them. They (Falana and Falz) asked me to apologize. I don't see anything wrong with what I did, so I don't apologize to anyone. “If someone’s name is mentioned, they should clear their name.”
I respect
Furthermore, VDM revealed that he had gone to the Ekiti-born lawyer to prostrate himself, but he insisted on apologizing and recanting.
He explained that he refused to comply with the demands because he did not defame the lead lawyer or his son, emphasizing that he did not want a country where people remain silent about matters simply because they involve well-known people.
“I have tried to respect them (Mr. Falana and Falz), but it didn't work because I went to prostrate and they told me that I should go and apologize. Now the time has come for the court hearing and the sky will not fall. Tomorrow, if I hear their names (Falana and Falz) again, I will post it. I don't fear anyone's father.
“I don't want a country where, when it's someone's time, we have to stay silent and speak only when it's someone else's time. Imagine if the names mentioned in the voice recording were Eniola Badmus or Toyin Abraham. They would say they did it because they didn't like them; but now that it is a precious stone (Falana), everyone says that VeryDarkMan is doing too much and that he made some insinuations,” he added.
VDM further stated that he would not be familiar with anything that could harm Nigeria, saying: “What is wrong is wrong. Even if they mentioned my mother’s name, I will publish it because I want Nigeria to be better.”
He expressed his willingness to meet in court tomorrow with Mr. Falana and his son's representative.
“Okay Daddy Boy (Falz), I will see you tomorrow in court with whoever the representative is, because I came to Lagos with my lawyer and God is always with sincere people.”
No defamation
In early September, this newspaper reported that VDM's lawyer claimed that his client did not defame Mr. Falana, emphasizing that VDM held Mr. Falana in high regard.
The lawyer clarified that VDM simply questioned the legitimacy of Bobrisky's claims made in the leaked audio.
However, Falana, who claimed that he had never met or spoken to Bobrisky, revealed in an interview with Sahara Reporters that VDM supporters and sympathizers had threatened to burn down his office and kill his daughter if he took legal action against the influencer. .
He described those who made the threats as mentally unstable. Despite the threats, Falana proceeded with legal action, noting that the perpetrators underestimated his resolve and overlooked his record of challenging formidable military leaders in Africa.
Background
This newspaper reported that since VDM leaked the audio, there has been widespread public debate and ongoing developments.
The growing concerns triggered investigations by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), whose officers were allegedly bribed with N15 million to drop money laundering charges against Bobrisky, and the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), which was accused of accepting bribes to award Bobrisky. VIP custody instead of normal prison treatment.
A report by the panel set up by the Minister of Home Affairs, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, to investigate alleged violations of standard operating procedures within the NCoS revealed that Bobrisky lived outside the Correctional Services Center during his six-month incarceration.
Additionally, the House of Representatives launched an investigation into the allegations.
In April, this newspaper reported that the EFCC had arrested Bobrisky on six charges including money laundering and mutilation of Naira.
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During his trial at the Federal High Court in Lagos, Justice Abimbola Awogboro dismissed the money laundering charges (counts five and six) at the request of the EFCC, but sentenced Bobrisky to six months in prison for Naira abuse.
The judge imposed the prison sentence without the option of fine, emphasizing that the sentence should serve as a deterrent to other people who mutilate Naira.
Bobrisky began his prison sentence on March 24 and was released from Kirikiri Correctional Center on August 5 after completing his sentence.