Afrobeat musician Seun Kuti on Friday apologized to human rights activist and lawyer Femi Falana for his connection to comments made by social media influencer Martins 'VeryDarkMan' Otse about cross-dresser Idris Okuneye, also known as Bobrisky.
PREMIUM TIMES reported that VeryDarkMan shared a leaked audio clip on his Instagram page in September; The clip allegedly showed Bobrisky making claims implicating Mr Falana and his son, Falz, in a N15 million bribery scandal.
Following the report, in an Instagram video, VDM's friend Seun clarified that he was aware of the exposure before VDM posted the controversial audio online. He explained that he had given VDM his full support in sharing the leaked audio with Nigerians, further affirming his involvement before it was made public.
On Friday, Seun Kuti addressed his role in the controversy surrounding the leaked call during his Instagram live session and apologized to Falana.
His apology follows Falana's Thursday interview with Seun Okinbaloye on Channels TV Politics Today, during which he denied contacting Bobrisky. Furthermore, Falana stated that he would not file a criminal complaint against VeryDarkMan, recognizing his role as a defender of freedom of expression.
Idris Okuneye aka Bobrisky
“We want to set an example with this case. We have requested a retraction and apology, which we believe is not too much to ask. Since neither has been provided or accepted, we hope that he (VDM) will initiate civil proceedings in the High Court,” Falana said, referring to VDM’s refusal to retract his comments.
Apology, regret
In his latest video, Seun expressed his deep regret for any offense his participation may have caused, emphasizing that he never intended to offend or join any effort to discredit the respected lawyer.
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“I am deeply sorry if that offended Uncle Femi. It's really not my intention. I do not, in any way, want to join anyone, not even VDM, to fight against uncle Femi Falana. We've been through a lot. We have come a long way. All I care about is the institutional failures of the EFCC in accepting money to drop the money laundering charge. I will never join in trouble with anyone to try to denigrate, insult or defame. I have told people that I have seen him work on many cases. I have never seen Uncle Femi accept money from those people he decided to help anyway. “He's not that guy.”
EFCC Headquarters
He also dissociated himself from the current issues between VeryDarkMan and Bobrisky, saying, “All these bloggers mention my name repeatedly and try to turn this into Seun's issue.” Seun has nothing to do with this matter. Know. The problem is not my problem.”
VDM and me
The Afrobeat star also clarified his relationship with VDM.
“I want to clarify some things about my relationship with VDM, where I think many people get it wrong. We're fine, but I don't control VDM, and if you don't already know, just by looking at VDM or his page, let me tell you now, he doesn't listen. “You can’t tell him anything.”
The youngest son of Afrobeat pioneer Fela Kuti further clarified that VDM did not share the audio with him, contrary to what netizens have been saying.
He said: “This is the issue of Falz and Bobrisky. When I said that VDM told me, he told me with his mouth. Everyone online now says that he played the tape on Seun. If I had told him not to talk about it, you would say that Seun is trying to protect his family. “I wasn't plotting, and I didn't have any ulterior motive because I was the one who came out to say that he told me, otherwise I would hide in the shadows.”
Falz Taking sides
Seun also emphasized his neutral stance and his desire for VDM and Falz to resolve their differences amicably, as he does not want to be seen as taking sides.
He said: “I did my best. If two people I take as younger brothers are having a fight, it is not in my place to take sides. I immediately told him to call Falz and try to look inside him. For my part, I would love to see an amicable ending. But if that's not the problem, I wouldn't come out now publicly to start taking sides between them. “That means I’m setting fire.”
He mentioned having informed VDM that Falz was uncomfortable with the insinuations made against him while analyzing the alleged audio.
“To be honest, I also told him about the insinuations he used against Falz; Falz didn't like it because it made people think it was true. But that's the best I can do on the issue to try to alleviate what has happened,” he added.