Defamation Suit: VDM Set for case against Falana, Falz

Social media influencer Martins Otse, known as VDM, insists on proceeding with defamation suit rather than apologizing to human rights lawyer Femi Falana and singer Falz. The lawsuit follows VDM’s release of a controversial audio clip on Instagram where crossdresser, Bobrisky during his imprisonment, allegedly sought the assistance of Mr. Falana and his son, Falz at a fee, to secure a “presidential pardon”. Falana and Falz swiftly denied the accusation and sought a retraction and public apology from VDM, describing the allegations as damaging to their reputations.  When no apology was forthcoming, the Lagos High Court ordered VDM to remove the statements and videos, initiating legal proceedings. Despite the court’s directives, VDM has refused to retract his statements, contending that he was merely exposing what he viewed as corruption.  In a video posted ahead of the hearing, he argued that discussing prominent figures should not be off-limits when the integrity of public institutions is in question. VDM expressed his resolve to defend his position, stating that he respects Falana but stands by his actions. The influencer’s statements have sparked wider public debate, especially around Bobrisky’s detention and the alleged misconduct by Nigerian authorities, which have prompted investigations by the EFCC and other bodies.  This legal confrontation, set to continue at Ikeja High Court in Lagos., has brought significant attention to the roles of accountability and free speech in addressing allegations of corruption involving high-profile individuals.

EFCC transfers Bobrisky to Abuja for interrogation

Controversial social media personality and crossdresser Idris Okuneye, also known as Bobrisky, who was re-arrested on Thursday night, will face interrogation on alleged bribery and corruption in Abuja. The Bobrisky saga has become a major distraction for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) as it plays the ostrich while major financial crimes against the Nigerian state slips through its unstable grips. Examples include the Binance heist and the allegation of the theft of N80billion of Kogi State money by the former governor which prosecutions the EFCC seem to continually mismanage thereby necessitating diplomatic intervention in the case of the former. READ ALSO: YAHAYA BELLO AND THE EFCC SAGE Bobrisky, according to an official of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, would be flown to Abuja today (Friday). The embattled crossdresser was stopped and removed from an Amsterdam-bound KLM flight at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos and detained by immigration officers late Thursday night while attempting to leave the country for London, the United Kingdom. The popular cross-dresser posted on his Instagram page to alert followers about the arrest, stating that he had sustained injuries during an altercation with the immigration officers. Bobrisky alleged that the EFCC was responsible for his detention. He wrote, “Nigerians help me, EFCC just arrested me. I’m badly injured.” However, according to sources, his arrest was due to his failure to honour several invitations by the commission following his allegations against the EFCC. Bobrisky had, in a voice note shared by a controversial social critic, Martins Otse, aka VeryDarkMan, allegedly said he bribed EFCC officers with N15m to drop money laundering charges against him. Although the EFCC denied the allegations, it set up a committee to investigate the matter. At a press briefing on Thursday, the Director of Public Affairs, Wilson Uwajaren, had hinted that Bobrisky could face a fresh charge from the commission if the allegations against the EFCC were false. Uwujaren stated that one could be charged for giving false information to the EFCC, let alone making false allegations against the commission. However, a top source in the commission said on Friday that Bobrisky was picked up to prove his allegations against the EFCC. The source said, “We have arrested him in Lagos today and will be flown to Abuja today. He accused us of bribery and corruption; we invited him severally, but he did not show up. He who alleges must be ready to prove. Those allegations are too weighty to allow slide. “Also, remember that he has also refused to show up at the National Assembly on the matter. We are left with no other choice than to pick him up so that he can substantiate his claims. And that is what we have done. “ When contacted on Friday morning, the EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, confirmed Bobrisky’s arrest. “Bobrisky is on his way to Abuja as we speak,“ he added.