Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), has demanded a public retraction and apology from popular crossdresser Idris Okuneye, also known as Bobrisky, over allegations that legal luminary requested N10 million to facilitate a presidential pardon.
In a letter dated October 14, 2024, issued by Falana’s legal representatives, Olorunfemi Akinyemi, Esq., and Taiwo E. Olawanle, Esq., Bobrisky was accused of making defamatory and false statements regarding Falana’s involvement in the alleged bribe.
Bobrisky had claimed in audios which have been circulating online that Falana requested N10 million to secure a presidential pardon for him following his recent imprisonment, adding that he had already paid N5 million to a Senior Advocate of Nigeria to secure the pardon.
The legal team stated that Bobrisky’s claims were entirely baseless and damaging to Falana’s reputation.
They demanded a full retraction and apology, which should be prominently published on all platforms where the statements were disseminated.
According to SaharaReorters, Should Bobrisky fail to comply within 12 hours of receiving the letter, Falana’s lawyers warned they would pursue legal action, including claims for monetary damages.
The letter, further revealed that Bobrisky had attempted to solicit N3 million from rapper Folarin Falana (Falz), Falana’s son, claiming that the lawyer had promised to secure a special accommodation at Kirikiri Correctional Centre.
Falana’s legal team insisted that no such conversation ever took place and that Bobrisky’s claims were aimed at extorting money from the public while tarnishing Falana’s professional standing.
An excerpt he letter reads, “We are Counsel to Mr. Femi Falana SAN (hereinafter referred to as “our client) on whose behalf we write this letter regarding your slanderous statement against him.
“We have confirmed that you took advantage of your recent imprisonment to extort money from a group of artists and other members of the public. You would recall that you called Mr. Falarin Falana, popularly known as Falz, on May 4, 2024, and requested him to assist you with the sum of N3,000,000 (Three Million Naira) to secure a special place in the Kirikiri Correctional Centre.
“Even though Falz turned down your request you were quoted in a video to have said that he informed you that his father, our client, had undertaken to write a letter of pardon for you. You also said that our client had spoken to you and that the sum of N10,000,000 (Ten Million Naira) would be needed to bribe officials who would process the application for your pardon.
“In another video, you claimed that you had paid N5,000,000 (Five Million Naira) upfront to a Senior Advocate of Nigeria in an attempt to secure a Federal Government pardon over the charges filed against you by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
“You also claimed that the Senior Advocate of Nigeria had initially requested N10,000,000 (Ten Million Naira) for his legal services but that you explained to him that you were unable to raise the full amount as your account had been frozen by the EFCC.”
Falana’s legal team noted that Bobrisky set out to enrich himself at the expense of their client’s reputation.
“In fact, you have since published a list of persons who believed your concocted story and donated millions of Naira to pay our client to write a letter of pardon and bribe some unnamed public officers on your behalf.
“Your decision to involve our client in the criminal enterprise was a figment of your fertile imagination.
“Contrary to your spurious claims, you never briefed our client to write a letter of pardon for you,” the letter reads.
The legal team asserted that Bobrisky had never spoken with Falana nor instructed him to write a letter of pardon.
‘’It is clear that you made these defamatory statements recklessly, knowing full well that you did not call our client to request a letter of pardon. Our client has NEVER spoken to you regarding your pardon or any other matter,” the lawyers asserted.
“Given that our client has secured pardons for over 300 Nigerians convicted by military and civilian courts in Nigeria, Libya, Thailand, and The Gambia on a pro bono basis, your defamatory statements have severely damaged his reputation, both locally and internationally.
“We, therefore, demand an immediate retraction of your defamatory and derogatory statements, along with a prominently aired or published apology on all platforms where your false statements have been shared.
“If we do not receive your formal retraction and apology within 12 (twelve) hours of your receipt of this letter, we will proceed with our client’s instructions to pursue legal remedies, including seeking monetary damages, for your malicious defamatory statements.
“We hope you will urgently address the issues raised herein in your own best interest,” the legal team concluded