. By Bola Ololade
A well-known and controversial crossdresser, Idris Okuneye, popularly known as Bobrisky, has called on human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) and his son, musician and activist Folarin Falana (Falz), to hold media critic, Martin Otse, known as VeryDarkMan, accountable for the defamatory statements circulating on social media.
Bobrisky clarified that he never gave Falana or his son any money to get a presidential pardon during his prison ordeal.
The popular crossdresser response followed Falana and Falz’s demand for a public apology and retraction of defamatory statements made by the popular crossdresser in audio recordings circulating online.
Recall that in one of the audios shared by VeryDarkMan, Bobrisky claimed that he had spoken with Falz, requesting his assistance in persuading his father (Falana) to help secure a presidential pardon, which allegedly cost N10 million.
He also alleged that he asked Falz for N3 million to secure special treatment at Kirikiri Correctional Centre.
In another audio shared by VeryDarkMan, Bobrisky claimed to have paid N5 million upfront to a Senior Advocate of Nigeria in an attempt to secure a Federal Government pardon over charges filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
However, in a letter dated 14 October 2024, issued by Falana’s legal representatives, Olorunfemi Akinyemi and Taiwo E. Olawanle, Bobrisky was accused of making false and defamatory statements about Falana and his son’s involvement in the alleged bribery and pardon.
The legal team described Bobrisky’s claims as entirely unfounded and damaging to Falana’s reputation. They demanded a full retraction and apology, to be published on all platforms where the statements were shared.
Responding to the demand, Bobrisky insisted that he never gave money to Falana or his son to get a presidential pardon.
The crossdresser argued that the sharer of the defamatory content should be held liable for his action.
“I Okuneye Idris aka Bobrisky didn’t give Falz or his dad any money for pardon. As a matter of fact, no penny was given to them. Have said this before and I will say it again. The person that published an audio online should take full responsibility for what he posted in public.
“My lawyer will respond to any further information the public wants about this ongoing issue trending on social media,” Bobrisky wrote on his Instagram story on Wednesday.
In another post, the crossdresser wrote, “In reply to the two letters in circulation from the law firm of the Falanas. I like to state for the records and pending the official reply from my counsel, state for the avoidance of doubt that I Okuneye Idris Olarewaju aka Bobrisky did not publish any defamatory statement or statements concerning the learned SAN and his son Falz and that in the public domain pursuant to my solicitor’s letter dated the 27th day of September 2024 that I have denied any knowledge of what VDM published.
“I stand to express denial and put the matter to strict proof and advise that whoever has been defamed should hold the publisher of defamatory content and my fundamental rights to privacy of my communications should be respected and protected. Best.”