Falana Drops Bombshell: ‘I Don’t Know Bobrisky!’ Is VeryDarkMan in Serious Trouble?

Renowned human rights lawyer Femi Falana, SAN, has firmly rejected any connection to the controversial crossdresser Idris Okuneye, popularly known as Bobrisky. This denial comes in response to claims suggesting that Bobrisky bribed prison officials to serve his sentence outside the correctional facility.

In a recent widely circulated video, social media activist Martins Otse, also known as VeryDarkMan, alleged that unnamed officers from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) received ₦15 million from Bobrisky to dismiss money laundering charges against him. Furthermore, VeryDarkMan claimed that Falana sought a presidential pardon for Bobrisky in exchange for ₦10 million.

During his appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Thursday, Falana asserted that he has never met or communicated with Bobrisky. He stated, “Bobrisky never spoke to me; I have never met him. I do not know him from Adam. He was alleged to have spoken to my son, Folarin (Falz).”

Falana revealed that he and his firm have demanded that VeryDarkMan retract his statements and issue an apology, which must be approved by them. He warned of potential civil proceedings in the high court if VeryDarkMan fails to comply.

Regarding his son’s interaction with Bobrisky, Falana explained, “Yes, my son said this guy was appealing to people for assistance and called my son, I think on May 4 this year—please can you give me ₦3 million to be placed in a special part of the prison, we call it the VIP section. My son asked him, are you calling me under the authorization of the superintendent of prisons? He said no—please don’t call me again. I am unable to assist you to bribe the prison authorities and be very careful since you are already in prison for an offence.”

He further emphasized that this was the last communication between them, stating, “Somebody now started releasing tapes somewhere and went out to lampoon and defame me by saying the guy has spoken to me.”

Labeling the allegations as “infantile radicalism,” Falana noted that he has helped 280 individuals, both in Nigeria and abroad, secure pardons without ever requesting or receiving financial compensation for these services. Although he has not filed a criminal complaint, he is currently leading a team of West African lawyers advocating for the decriminalization of freedom of expression.

However, he clarified that this should not be seen as an endorsement of defamation and blackmail. He expressed determination to pursue civil action to restore both his and his son’s reputations. “We have asked for a retraction and an apology rendered to us, and that is not too much. If we do not receive a retraction and apology acceptable to us, we will certainly initiate civil proceedings in the high court,” he said.

Falana also commented on the alleged corruption within the correctional system, expressing surprise at the House of Representatives’ decision to form a committee to investigate the state of correctional facilities nationwide. He has been one of the most vocal advocates for revealing issues within Nigerian correctional services.