Nigerian human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Femi Falana, has made headlines once again after revealing that his family has been the target of death threats amidst his ongoing dispute with online critic Vincent Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM).
In a recent interview with Sahara Reporters, Falana disclosed that some individuals have threatened to kill his daughter and burn down his office if he proceeds with legal action against the critic. The threats, according to Falana, are a response to his public conflict with VDM, which began after VDM made allegations about the lawyer and his rapper son, Folarin ‘Falz’ Falana.
The feud between Femi Falana and VDM began when the latter took to social media to make allegations about the Falana family.
The online police, who has gained a substantial online following for his no-holds-barred commentary, has often positioned himself as a voice for exposing wrongdoing in Nigerian society. His comments, however, did not sit well with the Falana family, leading to a heated public exchange.
The situation escalated when Falana hinted at the possibility of taking VDM to court over what he considers defamatory statements. In his interview with Sahara Reporters, Falana expressed his displeasure over the manner in which VDM has handled the issue.
He noted that while public discourse and criticisms are normal in a democratic society, there is a line that must not be crossed, especially when it involves false accusations and threats to his family’s safety.
What started as a public exchange quickly spiraled into something far more dangerous. According to Femi Falana, the most disturbing aspect of the conflict has been the threats directed at his family. He revealed that he received multiple messages from individuals threatening to kill his daughter and burn down his law office should he decide to pursue legal action against VDM.
“The only disturbing area in this scenario is the threat to me and one of my two daughters,” Falana stated. “Some of these guys, who I believe are mentally deranged, had dared me: ‘If you go to court, we shall burn your office.’ They have also sent messages to one of my daughters saying, ‘If your father goes to court, we shall kill you.’”
Falana expressed disbelief at the severity of the threats, noting that such behavior is unacceptable in any country, especially one that prides itself on its legal system and the rule of law. He also mentioned that despite the threats, he has reassured his daughter that there is no cause for alarm as he has already taken steps to address the matter legally.
“I beg your pardon! In this country?!” he exclaimed during the interview. “I just laughed and told my girl, don’t worry, I will take it up, and I’ve already taken that up because we must also let these guys know where we are coming from.”
Despite the threats, Femi Falana remains undeterred. Known for his staunch advocacy of human rights and his defense of the underprivileged in Nigeria, Falana is no stranger to public criticism and confrontations with powerful figures. However, he has drawn a line when it comes to the safety of his family, making it clear that he will not back down from holding those responsible accountable.
The feud between Femi Falana and VeryDarkMan has ignited widespread conversation on social media, with Nigerians taking sides on the matter. While some support Falana’s decision to take legal action, arguing that public figures should not be subjected to unfounded accusations, others believe that VDM is within his rights to criticize the Falanas, especially given the public roles they play.
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