Popular Nigerian rapper and activist, Folarin Falana, known as Falz, has confirmed having contact with social media personality Idris Okuneye, popularly known as Bobrisky, regarding the latter’s legal issues earlier this year. Falz, however, clarified that he refused Bobrisky’s request for financial assistance, specifically ₦3 million, which Bobrisky claimed he needed to secure a VIP section at the Correctional Centre.
The clarification follows a letter issued by Falana & Falana Chambers to social media influencer Martins Vincent Otse, alias VeryDarkMan, demanding the retraction of defamatory statements made against Falz. The letter addressed allegations in a September 25, 2024, post that suggested Falz conspired with Bobrisky to “pervert the course of justice” by financially aiding him during his legal troubles.
In a statement dated September 26, 2024, Falz’s lawyer, Taiwo E. Olawanle, outlined the events, noting that Bobrisky had reached out to Falz, seeking advice regarding his charges for the abuse of the naira. While Falz obliged, he firmly declined any notion of offering financial help, insisting it was unnecessary.
The letter stated, “On May 4, 2024, Bobrisky contacted our client requesting a phone conversation. Our client obliged, believing Bobrisky might need legal advice. However, Bobrisky instead solicited financial assistance of ₦3 million, which he claimed was needed to pay officials to secure a stay in the VIP section of the Correctional Centre.”
Falz reportedly advised Bobrisky against making any payments, asserting that such measures were unwarranted. Despite Falz’s stance, Bobrisky continued pressing for the money, expressing dissatisfaction with his legal team’s handling of the case and claiming they had urged him to plead guilty.
The legal team further condemned VeryDarkMan’s insinuations in the viral post, which also included suggestions of a homosexual affair involving Falz and an attempt to secure a presidential pardon for Bobrisky. Falana & Falana Chambers demanded an immediate retraction and public apology across all platforms where the defamatory statements were shared, warning of legal action, including a claim for damages, if their demands were not met within 24 hours.
The controversy comes amid a separate viral video in which Bobrisky claimed to have bribed unnamed EFCC officers with ₦15 million to drop money laundering charges against him. While Bobrisky denied the bribery allegations, the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has ordered an investigation into the claims.
