Renowned Nigerian lawyer and human rights activist, Femi Falana (SAN), has issued a 24-hour ultimatum to self-proclaimed activist Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, to retract alleged defamatory statements made against him.
Falana, through his legal counsel, Taiwo E. Olawanle, warned VeryDarkMan that if he does not issue a public apology within 24 hours, he would face legal consequences.
The dispute centers around claims made by VeryDarkMan that Falana demanded a N10 million bribe from cross-dresser Idris Okuneye, popularly known as Bobrisky, to remove his name from the records of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
In a letter sent by Falana’s lawyer on Wednesday, VeryDarkMan was accused of spreading false and damaging information about the senior lawyer.
Olawanle described the claims as “vicious, wicked, and reckless,” insisting that Falana had never engaged in any discussion with Bobrisky about a pardon or any other matter.
“WITHOUT ANY FEAR OF CONTRADICTION,” the letter stated, “Femi Falana has never spoken to Bobrisky regarding any alleged pardon.”
The legal counsel emphasized that while everyone has the right to freedom of expression, this right should not be abused by making baseless allegations that could damage someone’s reputation.
Olawanle added that VeryDarkMan must retract his statements immediately and issue a formal public apology on all platforms where the allegations were disseminated.
He warned that failure to do so would lead to legal action, including a suit for monetary damages.
“We hope that the salient issue raised herein will urgently be addressed by you in your own interest,” Olawanle cautioned.
The controversy surrounding the public accusations began when VeryDarkMan made serious claims against Bobrisky on social media, including accusations of corruption involving the EFCC.
On Tuesday, VeryDarkMan alleged that Bobrisky had failed to repay a debt of N4 million, and he released a video recording to support his claims.
In the video, he alleged that Bobrisky bribed EFCC officers with N15 million to drop money laundering charges against him. VeryDarkMan also claimed that the cross-dresser spent six months in jail in April, and that he had used his connections to escape further punishment.
One of the more sensational claims made in the video was that Bobrisky allegedly paid N10 million to Folarin Falana, popularly known as Falz, and his father, Femi Falana, to intercede on his behalf and negotiate a pardon from the EFCC.
Falana’s legal team quickly responded to these allegations, issuing the 24-hour deadline for VeryDarkMan to retract his statements and apologize.
The lawyer’s representatives described VeryDarkMan’s accusations as defamatory and without any factual basis.
They made it clear that if the activist does not comply with the demand for a public apology, he will face legal action.
This legal action, according to the letter, will include a claim for substantial monetary damages for defamation of character.
Falana is widely respected in Nigeria for his decades of work as a lawyer and human rights defender, and any suggestion of involvement in bribery or corruption is a serious attack on his reputation.
