Controversial crossdresser, Idris ‘Bobrisky’ Okuneye, has denied defaming human rights lawyer Femi Falana and his son, rapper Falz. He additionally rejected their demand for retraction and apology.
The alleged defamatory publication is a controversial audio recording credited to Bobrisky final month. Bobrisky has denied the voice making claims about Mr Falana and regarding his jail time earlier this yr to be his.
He denied ever giving Falana and Falz cash, opposite to the leaked audio recording by which an individual that sounded precisely like him was recounting to somebody how the daddy and son demanded N10 million to assist him safe presidential pardon for his conviction earlier this yr.
“I, Okuneye Idris, aka Bobrisky didn’t give Falz or his dad any cash for pardon. As a matter of truth, no penny was given to them. Have mentioned this earlier than and I’ll say it once more,” he mentioned in a press release he posted through his Instagram web page on Wednesday.
PREMIUM TIMES earlier reported that Mr Falana and his son issued a 12-hour ultimatum to Bobrisky to apologise and retract his defamatory declare in a cease-and-desist letter on Monday.
The letter, issued via the legislation agency Falana and Falana’s Chambers and signed by Olorunfemi Akinyemi and Taiwo E. Olawanle, warned that the crossdresser’s failure to adjust to the calls for would result in authorized motion.
In September, this newspaper reported that Bobrisky, in an audio leaked by social media influencer Martins ‘VDM’ Otse, alleged that Mr Falana and Falz approached him to safe a presidential pardon for N10 million.
Article Web page with Monetary Assist Promotion
Bobrisky reportedly alleged that Falz contacted him on behalf of his father to rearrange the pardon.
Nonetheless, in a subsequent audio VDM leaked in October, the crossdresser alleged that his godfather paid N5 million to an unnamed Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) to safe the pardon.
Bobrisky didn’t point out Falz and his father within the second audio by which he alleged that the SAN submitted the pardon request to President Bola Tinubu on his behalf.
In the meantime, in response to Mr Falana and his son’s cease-and-desist letter, Bobrisky, in a sequence of posts on his Instagram story on Wednesday evening, denied defaming Falana and his son.
He additionally denied paying them (Mr Falana and Falz) N10 million to safe a presidential pardon throughout his six-month imprisonment at Kirikiri Correctional Centre in Lagos.
“In reply to the 2 letters in circulation from the legislation agency of the Falanas,” he wrote, including that “pending the official reply from my counsel…I Okuneye Idris Olanrewaju aka Bobrisky didn’t publish any defamatory assertion or statements in regards to the realized SAN (Falana) and his son, Falz.”
He continued, “And that it’s within the public area pursuant to my solicitor’s letter dated the twenty seventh day of September 2024 that I’ve denied any data of what VDM revealed.”
Maintain writer accountable
The crossdresser mentioned he stands by his earlier denial of any hyperlink with the controversial audio recordings, including that whoever felt defamed by them ought to maintain the writer accountable.
“I stand by my specific denial and put the matter to strict proof and advise that whoever has been defamed ought to maintain the writer of the defamatory content material and my basic rights to privateness of my communications ought to be revered and guarded.”
He once more denied giving Mr Falana and his son cash, including, “The person who revealed an audio on-line ought to take full accountability for what he posted in public.”
He added that his lawyer would guarantee the general public receives all needed info in regards to the allegations.
“My lawyer will reply to any additional info the general public desires about this ongoing situation trending on social media. Earlier than a few of you drop feedback on my web page please search for a lawyer to advise you,” mentioned Bobrisky.
On Tuesday, this newspaper reported that the Lagos State Excessive Court docket ordered social media influencer, VeryDarkMan (VDM), to take down defamatory movies and feedback focusing on famend lawyer Mr Falana and his son, Falz, inside 21 days.
The ruling was delivered on Monday by Justice M.O. Dawodu, following Mr Falana’s preliminary utility, which sought to forestall additional defamation from VDM.
The court docket directed VDM to delete and cease the distribution or circulation of the defamatory content material, initially posted on 24 September through his social media channels, regarding Mr Falana and his son.
Background
Since VDM leaked the 2 audio recordings of Bobrisky’s jail conversations, the matter has sparked widespread controversy.
This newspaper reported that the allegations embrace an alleged N15 million bribe paid to officers of the Financial and Monetary Crimes Fee (EFCC) to drop cash laundering prices in opposition to Bobrisky.
Moreover, the allegations additionally embrace that the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) acquired bribes to put Bobrisky in VIP custody as a substitute of a regular jail cell.
In response to the allegations, the anti-graft company and NCoS launched investigations into the matter whereas the Home of Representatives initiated hearings, that are presently ongoing.
In April, this newspaper reported that the EFCC arrested Bobrisky on six counts, together with cash laundering and Naira mutilation however throughout his trial on the Federal Excessive Court docket in Lagos, Decide Abimbola Awogboro dismissed the cash laundering prices (counts 5 and 6) on the EFCC’s request however sentenced Bobrisky to 6 months in jail for Naira abuse.
The choose, nonetheless, sentenced the crossdresser to 6 months imprisonment with out the choice of a advantageous.
Bobrisky started serving his sentence on 24 March the day he was arrested and was launched from Kirikiri Correctional Centre on 5 August
Assist PREMIUM TIMES’ journalism of integrity and credibility
At Premium Instances, we firmly imagine within the significance of high-quality journalism. Recognizing that not everybody can afford pricey information subscriptions, we’re devoted to delivering meticulously researched, fact-checked information that continues to be freely accessible to all.
Whether or not you flip to Premium Instances for each day updates, in-depth investigations into urgent nationwide points, or entertaining trending tales, we worth your readership.
It’s important to acknowledge that information manufacturing incurs bills, and we take pleasure in by no means putting our tales behind a prohibitive paywall.
Would you take into account supporting us with a modest contribution on a month-to-month foundation to assist preserve our dedication to free, accessible information?
Make Contribution
TEXT AD: Name Willie – +2348098788999
