By Dayo Adesulu
NIGERIA– Folakemi Falana, the daughter of prominent human rights lawyer Femi Falana, has strongly refuted claims of bribery and corruption involving her father, her brother Falz, and socialite Bobrisky. In a detailed response shared on her Instagram account on Friday, Folakemi addressed the recent accusations head-on.
Clarification on Bobrisky’s Claims
In her statement, Folakemi asserted that her father has never met or spoken to Bobrisky. She clarified that Bobrisky had reached out to Falz for financial assistance to stay in the VIP section of prison, but did not discuss any potential presidential pardon. She shared documents demonstrating the history of her family’s legal firm, Falana & Falana, applying for presidential pardons free of charge since 2016.
Response to Baseless Accusations
Folakemi expressed her frustration with the public’s eagerness to believe unfounded allegations, including claims about Falz’s sexuality and supposed relationships with Bobrisky. “It’s crazy that some Nigerians act like they can’t read or think for themselves. It’s unfortunate,” she stated. She emphasized that anyone can apply for a presidential pardon for a convicted individual in Nigeria, reiterating the legitimacy of their actions.
Legal Action Against Accuser
In light of the accusations, Folakemi condemned the claims as baseless and threatened legal action against the accuser, known as VeryDarkMan (VDM). She stated, “Seeing as you have refused to do the needful, #verydarkblackman see you in court,” signaling her intent to pursue justice.
Context of the Allegations
The controversy arose after VDM released audio recordings in which Bobrisky allegedly claimed that Femi Falana and Falz had contacted him prior to his release from prison. The recordings claimed that Femi Falana arranged a settlement of 10 million naira to resolve the case, further fueling the accusations of bribery.
In response to these allegations, Falz has issued a 24-hour ultimatum to VDM, demanding the removal of all defamatory statements related to the accusations.
The Falana family stands firm against the allegations, asserting their commitment to justice and transparency. Folakemi’s public statement serves to clarify their position and defend their integrity amidst ongoing scrutiny.