The lawyer for social media influencer Martins “VeryDarkMan” Otse, Deji Adeyanju, says his client did not defame human rights lawyer Femi Falana.
PREMIUM TIMES reported that VeryDarkMan posted a leaked audio of Bobrisky on his Instagram page, in which the crossdresser accused Falz and his father on Tuesday night.
Bobrisky claimed in the leaked audio that Falz and his father contacted him while he was incarcerated at the Kirikiri Correctional Centre to help him obtain a “presidential pardon.”
Idris Okuneye aka Bobrisky
In April, Judge Abimbola Awogboro of the Federal High Court in Lagos sentenced Bobrisky to six months in prison for naira abuse, dismissing money laundering charges against him.
Bobrisky served a six-month prison sentence at the Kirikiri Correctional Centre, effective from March 24, and was released on August 5.
But in response to the presidential pardon allegation and others, Falz, in a statement, demanded VeryDarkMan retract its defamatory statement about him.
He also denied Bobrisky's allegations that he and his father contacted him to ask for a presidential pardon. Falz called VeryDarkMan's statement defamatory, claiming that it damaged his reputation among reasonable people.
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However, Falz demanded that the social media influencer apologize within 24 hours or face legal consequences.
No defamation
Responding to Falz's demands for a retraction and apology, Mr Adeyanju maintained that VeryDarkMan respects Mr Falana and did not defame him in the video.
Instead, he (VDM) questioned the validity of Bobrisky’s claims in the leaked audio.
The statement read: “We are the attorneys for Mr. Martins Vicent Otse, now referred to as our client, under whose instructions we are acting. Our client has received your letter dated 25th September 2024 on the above mentioned matter, demanding the retraction of your Instagram post containing a voice recording between Mr. Okuneye Idris Olarenwaju (Bobrisky) and a third party.
“Our client denies having defamed Mr. Femi Falana, SAN, a renowned senior lawyer in Nigeria and a globally recognized human rights activist, but claims that he only published the said communication to get the relevant agencies and even his client to launch a thorough investigation into the wide-ranging allegations made by Mr. Okuneye in the said voice recording, especially since Mr. Folarin Falana has confirmed some elements of the voice recording in his lawyer’s letter dated 25th September 2024.”
Unraveling accusations, rather than a defamation case
VeryDarkMan’s lawyer stressed that the main focus should be on investigating the allegations Bobrisky allegedly made against certain EFCC officials rather than pursuing a defamation case.
“Our client holds Mr. Femi Falana, SAN, in high regard and recognises his commitment to the protection of human rights and the rule of law in Nigeria. In light of the above, our client believes that the appropriate course of action in these circumstances is an inter-agency investigation into the allegations contained in the voice recording rather than initiating a defamation proceeding,” Mr. Adeyanju said.
In a Facebook post, Mr Adeyanju added that Falz should focus on Bobrisky, having acknowledged the call.
“To Falz: he should go see Bob and tell him about everything he said. Falz even admitted to having had a telephone conversation with Bob. End of discussion.”
Minister orders investigation
Meanwhile, Interior Minister Tunji-Ojo has ordered an unconditional and thorough investigation into allegations of bribery and corruption within the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS).
In a statement signed by Babatunde Alao, his South African media and advertising agency, Mr Tunji-Ojo condemned the behaviour and said any official found guilty would be prosecuted.
The statement read in part: “Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo unequivocally condemned the alleged reprehensible behaviour, stressing that any form of indiscipline, unprofessionalism and corruption will be dealt with zero tolerance and severe consequences within the paramilitary services under the purview of the Ministry.
“The Ministry will not tolerate any compromise on its core values of integrity, transparency and accountability. We will spare no effort to root out corruption and ensure that those found guilty face the full weight of the law.”
The statement further revealed that the minister has set up a special investigative panel headed by the Ministry's Permanent Secretary, Magdalene Ajani, to investigate the allegations and submit a comprehensive report.
READ ALSO: UPDATED: N15 million bribery allegations: EFCC invites VDM and Bobrisky to assist investigators
“Other members of the committee include Uju Agomuoh of Prisoners' Rehabilitation And Welfare Action (PRAWA) who will act as Secretary; Eva Omatese, Director of Legal Affairs, Ministry of Interior; Mr Usman Nasiru, Director of Joint Services, Ministry of Interior; and Ikechukwu Ezeugo (Consultant) of The Brekete Family Show.”
Mr Tunju-Ojo assured the public that the investigation will be rigorous, transparent and impartial, noting that appropriate disciplinary action will be taken against any staff member found guilty.
EFCC, NCoS too
This newspaper reported that the EFCC invited VeryDarkMan to investigate allegations of a N15 million bribe to dismiss money laundering charges against Bobrisky.
The anti-graft agency also invited Bobrisky to assist with the ongoing investigation.
Responding to the allegations, EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede ordered an immediate investigation into the bribery allegations, which implicated certain officials of the commission.
Additionally, Nigeria Correctional Service spokesperson Abubakar Umar confirmed to this newspaper on Wednesday morning that the agency is conducting its independent investigation.
Mr Umar assured us that a formal letter with details of the findings would be sent to this newspaper as soon as it was available.
He said, “Well, brother, thank you for calling me. We are having a consultation. Of course, I will send you my letter.”