Bobrisky Archives | Page 2 of 3

Falana gives Bobrisky 12-hour ultimatum to apologise

Our Reporters6 months ago6 months ago07 mins

Human rights activist and lawyer, Femi Falana, and his son, Folarin, popularly known as Falz, have demanded a public apology and retraction of defamatory statements made by the popular crossdresser Idris Okuneye, also known as Bobrisky, in audio recordings circulating online. In one of the audios shared by controversial media critic Martin Otse, also known as 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. The crossdresser 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, and seen by our correspondent on Wednesday, 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. The letter read, “We are Counsel to Mr. Femi Falana SAN and Mr. Folarin Falana aka Falz (hereinafter referred to as ‘our clients’), on whose behalf we write this letter regarding your slanderous statements against them. “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 will recall that on 4 May 2024, you called Mr. Folarin Falana, popularly known as Falz, and requested N3,000,000 (Three Million Naira) to secure special treatment at Kirikiri Correctional Centre. “Although Falz refused your request, you falsely claimed in a video that he told you his father, our client, had agreed to write a letter of pardon for you. You also stated that our client had spoken with you and that N10,000,000 (Ten Million Naira) was required to bribe officials to process your pardon.” The letter continued, “In another video, you claimed to have paid N5,000,000 (Five Million Naira) upfront to a Senior Advocate of Nigeria to secure a Federal Government pardon over charges filed against you by the EFCC. You further alleged that the Senior Advocate initially requested N10,000,000 (Ten Million Naira) for his legal services but, due to your frozen account, you could not raise the full amount.” Falana’s legal team clarified that no such conversation had ever taken place and that Bobrisky’s allegations were aimed at extorting money from the public while tarnishing Falana’s professional reputation. “In fact, you have published a list of individuals who believed your fabricated story and contributed millions of naira, supposedly to pay our client to write a letter of pardon and bribe public officers on your behalf. “Your decision to involve our client in your criminal activities was purely a figment of your imagination. “Contrary to your baseless claims, you never instructed our client to write a letter of pardon for you,” the letter further stated. Additionally, the legal team emphasised that Bobrisky had never spoken with Falana nor instructed him to write a letter of pardon. The claim of a N5 million payment was also dismissed as groundless. “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.

Bobrisky: Court fines VeryDarkMan N500m

Our Reporters6 months ago6 months ago04 mins

An Ikeja High Court has ordered an online activist, Vincent Otse (alias Very Dark Man) to remove defamatory posts against a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana and his musician son, Folarin otherwise called Falz. Justice Matthias Dawodu also ordered VDM to bring down the alleged defamatory video which he made on September 24 against the Falanas. The court also ordered the service of originating summons against VDM through his lawyer, Deji Adeyanju within 14 day. The judge said, “The defendant, his agents and privies are hereby restrained from further releasing, publishing or circulating any defamatory videos, comments about the applicant. He is to bring down the defamatory video about the applicant which was published on September 24 on all his online social media handles pending compliance with the pre-action protocol of the court. Leave is hereby granted to the applicant to serve the pre-action bundles, originating processes and all other court processes between parties herein on the defendant by substituted means through his lawyer, Deji Adeyanju. The applicant must file and serve the pre-action bundles, originating processes and other accompanying processes on the defendant within 14 days.” The court made the orders following an ex parte originating application made by Mr Falana and his son against the actions of VDM where he published “unverified audio recording of a one-sided narrative by cross dresser Bobrisky,” alleging perversion of justice by the family. Mr Falana had in a lawsuit numbered ID/8586GCM/2024, filed against VDM, sought the order of the court to award a sum of N500 million fine for defamation of character against him. Mr Falana in the lawsuit, also prayed the order of the court, directing the defendant to publish an apology on his social media handles for the defamatory words contained in the viral video. The Court also ordered VDM to pay N500 million in damages to human rights advocate Femi Falana and his son, Falz. Recall previously that Bobrisky’s voice could be heard explaining how he paid the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, the sum of N15 million to clear his name money laundering case, which was levied against him, amongst others.

Bobrisky: Minister vows to sanction erring Correctional Service Officers

Our Reporters6 months ago6 months ago05 mins

The Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo has assured Nigerians of the Federal Government’s commitment to holistic reform the Correctional Service. He made this assurance at the official launch of the report on the National Assessment of the situation of Children and Young Adults Deprived of Liberty on Tuesday in Abuja. He stated that the Nigeria Correctional Service Act of 2019 mandates that issues on juvenile deliquesce be addressed through reforms, rehabilitation, reintegration of offenders into the society. “I’m passionate about giving inmates, especially children and young adults, a second chance, as I strongly believe that a minor action of a minor should not be a major setback for his future,” he said. He decried the high number of correctional centres across the country as against the ratio of inmates to the population saying, “there are certain questions we need to ask ourselves; like do we need 256 Correctional centres in Nigeria? When you do the ratio of inmates to the population, Nigeria is one of the least. We have 84,000 inmates in a country of about 200 million people, so why should we have 256 correctional centres? How many armed correctional guards do we have to secure the 256 centres? We need to ask ourselves these questions “. The Minister said that in the Bobrisky case, it is not going to be business as usual. “We are resolute. By next week the committee will be ready with the report. My concern is not about Bobrisky, but about my officers. If any officer is found wanting, he must face the penalty.” He reiterated that beyond a name change from prisons to corrections, the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is committed to taking all necessary measures to reform the Correctional Service into a hub for rehabilitation, reformation, and redemption. “The correctional service cannot continue to be a point of disgrace to the Nigerian Government.We will not allow the actions of a few to destroy the integrity of the generality of the institution,” Tunji-Ojo said. Adding that, the committee will be expanded to address such issues when they arise in future. “We will expand the committee because when the crisis calls it is an opportunity for reform.” While appreciating the efforts of all contributors to the report, Tunji-Ojo assured the public that the government will carefully pay attention to all issues raised, and ensure that sustainable solutions be sought. He further assured UNICEF of his ministry’s support in addressing issues relating to juvenile justice. In attendance were key stakeholders and partners including officials of the Ministry of Justice, National Assembly, Prisoner’s Rehabilitation and Welfare Action (PRAWA), UNICEF, Nigerian Bar Association, British High Commission, US Embassy, European Union, NBS_Nigeria, Nigerian Police Force and National Human Rights Commission, amongst others.

Bobrisky: I charge $100,000 for influencing

Our Reporters6 months ago6 months ago03 mins

Popular Nigerian crossdresser, Idris Okuneye, also known as Bobrisky, has revealed that he charges the sim of $100,000 for influencing on social media platforms. This, according to him, was one of his genuine sources of wealth contrary to people’s belief that he’s into money laundering and fraudulent acts. This was contained in a video posted by controversial social media critic, Martin Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan on Monday, October 7, 20204. According to VDM, the call recording was made on May 16, 2024. “All the money I have is genuine and the sources are like most of my influencing [sic], like that day I called you that one woman wanted to pay me £10,000, you know I told you that it’s for influencing. “So, people don’t know how I charge a lot of money for influencing but I made them understand I charge as far as $100,000 to influence,” Bobrisky allegedly said in a recorded voice call with a male contact whose name remains unknown. The crossdresser who was convicted for mutilating the naira in April and sentenced to six months in jail, noted that he had access to his mobile phone while in custody. The male contact had initially asked if Bobrisky was out of prison before he responded in the negative, then he said he hadn’t been talking to people over the phone. “People have been sending me so many messages but I’ve not been responding because I don’t want anybody to know that I have my phone. I only want to talk to somebody that I know I can trust. “So if you think you cannot do it, all fingers are equal. Some others do it and trust me, God blessed the hustle. Obviously, I met a very terrible judge who wasn’t fair at all,” he added.

Money laundering charges against Bobrisky were dropped lawfully – EFCC

Our Reporters6 months ago6 months ago05 mins

A Prosecutor with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC Bilikisu Bala on Monday, September 30, 2024, told a Joint Committee of the House of Representatives investigating allegations of corruption against some officers of the Commission, and the Nigeria Correctional Service that charges of money laundering dropped in the trial of Idris Okuneye (a.k.a Bobrisky) were lawful and in compliance with the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, ACJA. Bala, head of the prosecution team that handled the trial of Okuneye pointed out to the Committee that the charges were dropped based on the disclosure of the Special Control Unit against Money Laundering, SCUML, that Okunenye’s firm, Bob Express, was not a Designated Non Financial Institution, Business and Profession, DNFIBP, and could not be prosecuted for flouting provisions of the Money Laundering Prevention & Prohibition Act, 2022. “We initially raised six count charges bordering on Naira Abuse and Money Laundering against Okuneye based on his confessional statement that his firm, Bob Express, was not registered with SCUML and was not rendering returns to it. Counts 1-4 were on Naira Abuse while counts five and six were on money laundering. Okuneye’s confession that he didn’t register his firm, Bob Express with SCUML and not rendering returns to it informed the money laundering charges initially included in the six count charges. However, when we wrote to SCUML on the status of the firm, the Unit responded that it was not a Designated Non-Financial Institution, Business and Profession, DNFIBP. We cannot lawfully sustain the charges in all sincerity. We, therefore dropped them and relied on the four counts on Naira mutilation to which Okuneye had pleaded guilty”, she said. The prosecutor dismissed claims of financial inducement in dropping charges maintaining that no such thing happened. “There is simply no basis for that. The Administration of Criminal Justice Act, ACJA, allows amendment of charges. It is a professional practice. It is laughable for anyone to attribute our decision to monetary issues. Why did we write to SCUML if we didn’t want to include the charges? We wrote to be lawfully guided and when the Unit responded that the firm had not breached any law, on what basis should we have retained the money laundering charges?”, she said. Bala, who appeared before the Committee with top management staff of the EFCC, charged the Committee to critically look into all the issues raised against the EFCC and make public its findings in the interest of justice. Chief of Staff to the EFCC’s Chairman, Commander of the EFCC, CE Michael Nzekwe who stood for the Chairman, Ola Olukoyede restated the seriousness the Commission attached to integrity of its staff. “We viewed the allegation of bribery against our officers seriously. Integrity is one of our core values. This is why we are here to place all the facts involved in the trial of Okuneye in the public domain”, he said. Okuneye, an ex-convict, had alleged in a viral video that he offered N15,000,000 (Fifteen Million Naira) as a bribe to some unnamed EFCC officers to drop money laundering charges against him.

Bobrisky saga: NCoS affirms suspension of senior officers

Our Reporters6 months ago6 months ago03 mins

The Nigeria Correctional Service has reaffirmed that the suspended senior officers remain suspended. The Public Relations Officer of the Service, Assistant Controller of Corrections, Umar Abubakar stated this in a statement on Tuesday. “The attention of the Nigeria Correctional Service has been drawn to a trending video of one of its senior officers purporting that the Service has not served him a letter of suspension as earlier directed by the Civil Defense, Correctional Fire, and Immigration Service Board ( CDCFIB) . The Service views this as an act of gross misconduct aimed at misleading the public on the issue at hand. “For avoidance of doubt, the Nigerian Correctional Service suspended not only the said officer in the video, but three other officers following the alleged roles in various misconducts so as to allow for further investigation. “The suspended officers are the officer-in-charge of the Maximum Security Custodial Centre, Kirikiri, Lagos, Deputy Controller of Corrections (DCC) Michael Anugwa; the Officer-in-Charge of the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Kuje, FCT Command, DCC Kevin Ikechukwu Iloafonsi; and Assistant Superintendent of Corrections (ASC II) OgbuleSamuel Obinna of the Medium Security Custodial Centre, Abakiliki, Ebonyi State. “Recall that two letters were issued by the Civil Defence Correctional, Fire, and Immigration Services Board )CDCFIB) with reference Nos: CDCFIB/NCOS/DISP/016/VOLII/16 and CDCFIB/NCOS/DISP/016/VOLII/17 both dates 26th September, 2024, suspending the aforementioned Officers. “The suspension which took effect from the 26th of September, 2024, was conveyed to the various Officers accordingly. “The public is advised to remain resolute as the Service would ensure that thorough investigation would be carried out and any person or group of persons found culpable would be punished in line with the Public Service Riles as well as other extant laws.”

Bobrisky saga: VeryDarkMan arrives N’Assembly to testify

Our Reporters6 months ago6 months ago02 mins

Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, has arrived at the national assembly. VeryDarkMan will testify before the house of representatives joint committee on financial crimes and reformatory institutions, over bribery allegations against officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and Haliru Nababa, controller-general of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS). Dressed in a flowing traditional attire, VDM as he is also known, sauntered into the green chamber with Deji Adeyanju, his lawyer, in tow. Ola Olukoyode, chairman of the EFCC, is represented at the hearing by Michael Nzekwe, his chief of staff. Haliru Nababa, controller-general of the NCoS, is also in the building. Idris Okuneye, aka Bobrisky, is yet to arrive, but Avwerosuoghene Omuvwie, his lawyer, is in the chamber. VeryDarkMan had shared an audio of Bobrisky claiming she bribed some EFCC officials with N15 million to drop the money laundering charge against her. On Thursday, the lower legislative chamber resolved to probe the allegations against the anti-graft agency and the NCoS. Bobrisky was released on August 5, after she was sentenced to six months in prison on April 12 for abusing the naira. In the purported recording, the crossdresser also claimed that her “godfather”, alongside Nababa, ensured she served the six-month sentence in a private apartment and not in prison.

EFCC: Why Bobrisky slams N1bn suit on VeryDarkMan

Our Reporters6 months ago6 months ago04 mins

Fresh facts have emerged on Nigerian cross-dresser, Idris Okuneye, popularly known as Bobrisky, for filling a lawsuit against internet activist and influencer, VeryDarkMan. The legal battle stems from VDM sharing a voice recording, which he alleged was that of Bobrisky claiming to have bribed officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, with N15 million to drop the money laundering charge against him. Bobrisky, however, has denied the claims, stating that the voice recordings purportedly implicating him in any wrongdoing were artificially generated using AI technology. Sharing a letter from her lawyers via his social media account, Bobrisky sued VDM for N1 billion as damages and gave him 24 hours to publish a written and video recording apology. The House of Representatives has launched an investigation into bribery allegations against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCS). The allegations, made by VeryDarkMan, claimed that the EFCC dropped money laundering charges against Idris Okuneye, aka Bobrisky, after receiving N15 million. Rep Patrick Umoh, representing Ikot Ekpene/Essien Udim/Obot Akara Federal Constituency, Akwa Ibom State, sponsored the motion during Thursday’s plenary, expressing concern over the damaging allegations. He emphasized the negative image of Nigeria as a corrupt nation and the need for urgent action. Addressing his colleagues, Umoh expressed concern over the widely circulated publication by VeryDarkMan against the EFCC and the NCS. He said, “The publication alleges that the EFCC dropped money laundering charges against Idris Okuneye, also known as Bobrisky upon collection of the sum of N15,000, 000. “The publication alleges that Idris Okuneye, upon conviction for abuse and defacing of the Naira, by the court, did not serve his time at the Nigeria Correctional Service, but was lodged outside the confines of the service. “We are disturbed about the damning allegations against Nigerian critical law enforcement agencies-the EFCC and the NCS established by this hallowed chambers to fight correction and incarcerate persons convicted of a crime for correctional purposes respectively.” He also added that the negative image and portrayal of Nigeria as a corrupt nation in the publication should not be swept under the carpet. Speaker Tajudeen Abbas who presided over the plenary session, referred it to the Committees on Financial Crimes and Reformatory Institutions.