Renowned human rights lawyer, Femi Falana has categorically denied any involvement with popular crossdresser Bobrisky, who is embroiled in a bribery scandal.
A viral video shared by social media activist, VeryDarkMan alleged that Falana sought a presidential pardon for Bobrisky in exchange for N10 million.
The video also alleged that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, officers collected N15 million from Bobrisky to drop money laundering charges.
Falana in an interview clarified that he has never met or spoken to Bobrisky.
Instead, Bobrisky allegedly reached out to his son, Folarin aka Falz, requesting N3 million to secure a VIP section placement in prison.
According to Falana, Falz declined the request, advising Bobrisky to follow proper channels.
Falana described the allegations as “infantile radicalism” and emphasized his history of assisting 280 convicted individuals in obtaining pardons without ever demanding or receiving payment.
He said he is campaigning for the decriminalization of freedom of expression but asserts this does not grant license to defame others.
The human rights lawyer said he plans to take civil action to restore his and his son’s integrity, seeking a retraction and apology.
He stated that he is determined to set an example, ensuring that individuals can not freely defame others on social media.
Additionally, Falana expressed surprise at the House of Representatives’ decision to investigate Nigerian correctional centers, noting his own efforts in exposing corruption within these institutions.
Falana said:
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).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).”
Further he said: “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 N3 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.
“Please if you are you are going to call me next time, you either do through the superintendent or you write a letter endorsed by the prison authorities and that was the last. Somebody now start releasing tapes somewhere and went out to lampoon and rather defame me by saying the guy has spoken to me.
“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 N3 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.
“Please if you are you are going to call me next time, you either do through the superintendent or you write a letter endorsed by the prison authorities and that was the last.
“Somebody now start releasing tapes somewhere and went out to lampoon and rather defame me by saying the guy has spoken to me.
“We have asked for a retraction and an apology rendered to us and that is not too much. And if we do not have a retraction and apology acceptable to us, we are certainly going to initiate civil proceedings in the high court.”
