Falana Seeks Justice Over Defamatory Claims In The Bobrisky Saga Made By VDM, as Tension Rises in Lagos Courtroom
The ongoing saga involving popular social media influencer Martins Vincent Otse, better known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), and the Falana family has taken a decisive legal turn. The Lagos State High Court recently ruled in favor of Femi Falana (SAN) and his son, rapper Folarin Falana, widely known as Falz, ordering VDM to pay damages for defamatory statements he made in connection to a viral leaked audio involving Bobrisky. This court decision has escalated a months-long controversy that has captured the public’s attention.
VDM, who posted the audio in September 2024, implicated Falana and his son, alleging they had been involved in securing a “presidential pardon” for Bobrisky in exchange for N10 million.
In the leaked audio, Bob had claimed that the duo contacted him to offer help during his time at the Kirikiri Correctional Centre. He further insinuated that legal services and VIP treatment were offered for a substantial sum. These allegations sparked a major scandal, causing Falana and his son to take legal action to restore their tarnished reputation.
In response, Femi Falana vehemently denied ever contacting Bobrisky. Appearing on Channels TV, Falana stated that he had never sought money from anyone for legal favors and had always upheld his professional ethics. He stressed that he had previously secured pardons for many convicts without any financial exchanges. Faced with VDM’s refusal to retract the defamatory statements or issue an apology, Falana pursued civil remedies, opting not to press criminal charges to protect freedom of speech.
The court’s ruling on 15th October 2024 ordered VDM to delete the defamatory comments and videos from all social media platforms. It also issued a preemptive order restraining VDM from making further defamatory statements pending the formal lawsuit. Justice M.O. Dawodu, who presided over the case, emphasized that the false claims made by VDM had significantly damaged the Falana family’s public image.
This judgment sets the stage for more legal proceedings as VDM faces potential financial penalties for his role in disseminating false information. The court also permitted the service of legal documents through VDM’s lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, given the influencer’s evasive behavior regarding personal service of the lawsuit.
The dispute first gained traction when Bobrisky, whose real name is Idris Okuneye, alleged that he paid the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) N15 million to drop charges of money laundering against him. These claims, however, were overshadowed by the controversy surrounding Falz and his father, which eventually led to the court’s involvement.
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