Falana Archives | Trendbrio.com

Court orders Airline Operator to pay Falana $17,000 within 30 days

Our Reporters2 months ago2 months ago06 mins

Hon. Justice (Prof.) Elizabeth Oji of the Lagos Judicial Division of the National Industrial Court has ordered Med-View Airline to pay its former staff Mr Falana $17,000.00 outstanding duty tour allowance; N2,364,962.60 (Two million, Three Hundred Sixty-Four Thousand, Nine Hundred and Sixty-Two Naira, sixty kobo) unremitted pension contributions; 1,399, 853.80 (One Million, three hundred and ninety-nine thousand eight hundred and fifty-three naira eighty kobo) outstanding and unpaid leave allowance; and N2, 909 558.52 (Two Million Nine hundred and nine Thousand, Five Hundred and fifty-eight Naira, Thirty-Eight Kobo) salary arrears within 30 days. From facts, the Claimant- Mr Falana had submitted that he was employed as an Aircraft Engineer on 15th January 2014, where he worked till his service was no longer required by Med-View Airline on 14th May 2018. Mr Falana argued that by virtue of the Internal Memo dated 19th April 2017, the total sum of allowances due to him for the inspection and engineering duty in Ethiopia is the sum of $17,000:00 (Seventeen Thousand Dollars). Mr Falana further averred that against the provisions of the company’s handbook, the Airline refused to pay him annual leave allowances for year 2016, year 2017 and year 2018, and unpaid salaries for February 2018 to May 2018, and leave allowances for the years 2016, 2017 and 2018 amongst others. However, despite service of processes on the Med-View Airline, the Med-View Airline refused to file any defence in the matter. In its final submission, Mr Falana’s counsel, further argues that parties in the above relationship are bound by the terms of contract of employment without any further extrinsic matters outside the contract of employment. Mr. Falana submits that in proof of his claims for unpaid salaries, allowances and bonuses, he has tendered exhibits and urged the Court to grant the reliefs sought. In a well-considered judgment after careful evaluation of the submission of both parties, the Presiding Judge, Justice Elizabeth Oji reiterated that judgment would only be given to Mr Falana on the strength of his case, not on the absence or weakness of the Defence. The Court resolved that Mr Falana’s statement of account shows lack of consistency in the payment of his salary, by the Airline Operator, and the Med-View Airline’s decision not to challenge or contradict this evidence is hereby taken as admission of the facts especially in view of exhibit tendered. Justice Oji ruled that Mr Falana has proved the reliefs sought based on the evidence before the Court. The Court ordered Med-View Airline to pay Mr Falana the sum of N2, 909 558.52 (Two Million Nine hundred and nine Thousand, Five Hundred and fifty-eight Naira, Thirty-Eight Kobo) being his salary arrears from February 2018 to 14th May 2018; and the sum of 1,399, 853.80 (One Million, three hundred and ninety-nine thousand eight hundred and fifty-three naira eighty kobo being outstanding and unpaid leave allowance for years 2016, 2017 and 2018. In addition, Justice Oji ordered the Med-View Airline to pay Mr Falana, the sum of N2,364,962.60 (Two million, Three Hundred Sixty-Four Thousand, Nine Hundred and Sixty-Two Naira, sixty kobo) being the unremitted pension contributions to Mr Falana pension account for the period commencing from February 2015 to 14th May 2018 and the sum of $17,000.00 (Seventeen Thousand Dollars) being outstanding duty tour allowance from 11th March 2017 to 27th March 2017. “Cost of this action is set at N1,000,000.00 (One Million Naira) only. The terms of this judgment are to be complied with, not later than 30 days from today; failure at which interest will accrue at the rate of 20% per annum,” the Court ruled.

Nigeria Police detain Sowore

Our Reporters2 months ago2 months ago04 mins

A presidential candidate of African Action Congress and human rights activist Omoyele Sowore has been detained by the Police Authority in Abuja following a viral video of policemen he posted on social media few weeks ago. Sowore was taking into custody following his refusal to agree to bail conditions offfered him by the Police. Sowore disclosed this shortly before his incarceration. “It is a wrap! “The Nigeria Police Force is holding me in custody until further notice, following my refusal to accept their illegal bail condition,” he wrote on his X handle formerly Twitter. Earlier in the day, Sowore had informed that the Police assigned to his case demanded for a level 16 civil servant and that he should surrender his international passport to perfect his bail condition. “The PoliceNG team assigned to my case has informed me that the DIG of FID, Dasuki Galandachi, has reevaluated my bail conditions, necessitating the production of a level 16 civil servant and the surrender of my international passport, a condition I have declined outright. “I refuse to participate in any arrangement that undermines my personal integrity. “Below is also the response of my lawyer, Femi Falana SAN to the ridiculous request of the Nigeria Police.” ‘Dear Hon DIG, ‘Thanks for reducing the bail condition of Mr. Omoyele Sowore to a surety of level 16. ‘However, I wish to point out that such bail condition has been declared illegal by the Court of Appeal in the case of Dasuki V. Director-General, S.S.S. [2020]10 NWLR PT.1731 PG. 136-143 where Adah JCA (now JSC) held as follows: ‘Let me quickly say that of concern it is to us that as a court we must be ready and sensitive enough not to allow or do anything that will run foul of the law. ‘The issue of involving civil servants or Public Officers in the Public Service of the Federation and the State in bail of people accused of criminal offences has never been the practice in Nigeria or any part of the civilized world. It was an oversight on our part to allow it in. ‘Our Civil and Public Service Rules do not have any room for it. Expecting a Level 16 Servant to own property worth N100,000,000, will be running counter to the Public Service Rules and by extension the war against corruption. ‘It is in this respect that I will act ex debito justitiae to ensure that the aspect of involving serving Public Servant below the status of Level 16 Officer in either the state or Public Service of the Federation or any of its agencies be removed and I so order.’

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.