Controversial crossdresser Idris Okuneye, popularly known as Bobrisky, has responded to the 12-hour ultimatum issued by human rights lawyer Femi Falana and his son, singer Falz.
As reported by NAIJALOG, on October 16, 2024, Falana and Falz sent a cease-and-desist letter demanding that Bobrisky retract an alleged defamatory statement he made about them in an audio leaked by social media critic VeryDarkMan (VDM).
In a series of Instagram Story posts on Wednesday night, Bobrisky denied making any defamatory claims against the Falanas and refused their demand for a public apology and retraction.
Addressing the situation, Bobrisky stated, “In response to the letters circulating from the Falanas’ law firm, and pending my counsel’s official reply, I, Okuneye Idris Olanrewaju, aka Bobrisky, want to make it clear that I did not make any defamatory statements about the learned SAN, Femi Falana, or his son, Falz. As stated in a letter from my solicitor on September 27, 2024, I deny any involvement in the content published by VeryDarkMan.”
He further advised those feeling defamed to pursue action against the actual publisher of the material and requested that his rights to privacy be respected.
This reaction follows a Lagos State High Court ruling that recently ordered VeryDarkMan to delete all defamatory videos and comments targeting Falana and Falz within 21 days.
The controversy stems from an audio recording leaked by VDM in September 2024, where Bobrisky allegedly claimed that Falz had reached out to him while in jail, promising to help secure a presidential pardon through his father. The claims also included allegations of a N15 million bribe to EFCC officials to dismiss money laundering charges against Bobrisky and bribes paid to the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) for VIP custody treatment.
Bobrisky was arrested by the EFCC in April for money laundering and Naira mutilation. Although the Federal High Court in Lagos dismissed the money laundering charges, Judge Abimbola Awogboro sentenced him to six months imprisonment for Naira mutilation.