Femi Falana, a well-known human rights lawyer, has stated that in his 42 years of practicing law, he has never asked for money to write a letter of pardon for anyone.
This statement comes in response to accusations made by social media influencer Martins Vincent Otse, also known as VeryDarkMan, concerning the imprisonment of crossdresser Bobrisky, whose real name is Okuneye Idris.
VeryDarkMan claimed in a video that Femi Falana allegedly collected N10 million from Bobrisky to secure his release from prison after a court convicted him in April.
In an interview with Sahara TV, Falana denied these allegations, stressing that he has represented numerous clients throughout his career without seeking to profit from their misfortune.
The lawyer reiterated his firm’s long-standing policy of not charging fees for writing pardon letters, saying that his work is driven by a commitment to justice rather than financial gain.
Falana shared examples from his career, including a case where he helped free six Nigerians who had been wrongly held in Kirikiri Correctional Centre.
He explained that despite being pardoned by the Thai government in 2017, these individuals remained imprisoned until Falana’s efforts led to their release in 2022.
He said, “I did a letter addressed to the then Minister of Interior….on the day he received the letter, he ordered the authorities of the correction centre, Kirikiri correction Centre to release them, only two of them came here to thank me.”
Falana also addressed rumors that he sought a pardon for Bobrisky in exchange for ₦10 million, calling the claims absurd. He expressed disappointment over the effect these false accusations had on his family, but reassured them of his integrity.
“In the last 42 years of my legal practice, I have never ever demanded for a kobo to write a letter of pardon for anybody,” he said, adding, “I told my family that, at the end of the day, I will not disappoint you.”
Watch the video below:
https://twitter.com/OneJoblessBoy/status/1843305369545965740
KanyiDaily recalls that Femi Falana had denied any connection with Bobrisky and stated he had never met or spoken to him, vowing to drag VeryDarkMan to court.