Nigerian Rapper and activist Folarin Falana, better known as Falz, has come forward with explosive details about his interaction with controversial social media figure Idris Okuneye, popularly known as Bobrisky. Speaking exclusively to Punch News on September 25, 2024, Falz disclosed that Bobrisky had approached him earlier this year, making an astonishing request for N3 million to secure a VIP section at a Correctional Centre.
On a balmy evening in Lagos, Nigeria, Falz received an unexpected call that would thrust him into the center of a brewing scandal. It was May 4, 2024,” Falz recounted, his voice steady as he spoke to our reporter. “Bobrisky reached out, asking for a conversation. Given the legal troubles surrounding them, I naturally assumed they might need some legal advice.”
However, what transpired during that call was far from a simple request for legal guidance. Falz continued, “To my surprise, Bobrisky wasn’t seeking legal counsel. Instead, they asked for N3 million, claiming it was to pay officials for access to a VIP section in the Correctional Centre. I was taken aback, to say the least.”
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In the wake of these revelations, Falz’s legal team, the prestigious Falana & Falanas Chambers, has taken swift action. On September 26, 2024, they issued a strongly-worded letter to social media personality Martins Vincent Otse, known as VeryDarkMan, demanding an immediate retraction of defamatory statements made against Falz.
Taiwo E. Olawanle, Falz’s lawyer, elaborated on the contents of the letter: “We’ve addressed a social media post by VeryDarkMan that falsely accused our client of colluding with Bobrisky to ‘pervert the course of justice.’ These allegations are not only baseless but deeply damaging to Falz’s reputation as an artist and activist.
The letter meticulously detailed the sequence of events, emphasizing that Falz had declined any financial involvement in Bobrisky’s legal troubles. “Our client made it clear that such a request was not only unnecessary but potentially illegal,” Olawanle stated firmly.
According to Falz’s account, Bobrisky’s request came at a time when the social media personality was facing serious legal challenges. “Bobrisky seemed desperate,” Falz recalled. “They even went as far as blaming their legal team for encouraging a guilty plea. It was a surreal conversation, to say the least.”
This revelation sheds new light on the complexities of Bobrisky’s legal troubles and raises questions about the treatment of high-profile inmates in Nigeria’s correctional system.
Adding fuel to the fire, a video featuring VeryDarkMan went viral, in which he cited Bobrisky’s claim that EFCC officials had accepted N15 million to drop money laundering accusations. This allegation has since been vehemently denied by Bobrisky.
In response to these serious claims, EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede announced on September 24, 2024, that a thorough investigation has been launched. “We take these allegations very seriously,” Olukoyede stated in a press conference. “Our integrity as an institution is paramount, and we will leave no stone unturned in getting to the bottom of this matter.”
As news of Falz’s revelation spread, reactions from fellow artists and industry insiders have been mixed. Popular comedian Basketmouth expressed shock: “This is beyond anything I could have imagined. It’s like a movie script, but unfortunately, it’s real life.”
Meanwhile, music producer Don Jazzy called for caution: “We need to let the legal process play out before jumping to conclusions. But if these allegations are true, it’s a sad day for our industry.”
Prominent Lagos-based lawyer, Adebayo Ogunlesi, offered his perspective on the legal ramifications of these revelations. “If proven true, Bobrisky’s request could be construed as an attempt to obstruct justice,” Ogunlesi explained. “However, Falz’s decision to come forward with this information demonstrates a commitment to transparency and the rule of law.”
As the dust settles on these shocking revelations, all eyes are now on the EFCC’s investigation and the potential legal actions that may follow. Falz’s legal team has given VeryDarkMan 24 hours to retract his statements and issue a public apology, failing which they threaten to pursue legal action for damages to Falz’s reputation.
This scandal has not only captivated the Nigerian public but has also sparked important discussions about celebrity culture, the justice system, and the power of social media in shaping public opinion.
As this story continues to unfold, one thing is clear: the intersection of entertainment, law, and social media has never been more complex or consequential in Nigeria’s cultural landscape.
