NIGERIA: Falz Distances Self From Bobrisky, Speaks On Ongoing Defamation Case Against VeryDarkMan

By Ameenat Hamzat, Lagos, Nigeria 

Nigerian rapper and actor Folarin Falana, popularly known as Falz, has publicly denied having any form of personal relationship with controversial crossdresser Idris Okuneye, widely known as Bobrisky.

The entertainer clarified during a recent interview on Arise Television, following, growing public speculation triggered by a leaked phone conversation between him and Bobrisky.

The audio was allegedly released by social media personality and critic, VeryDarkMan (VDM), amid an ongoing legal battle.

Falz stated that the interaction was solely based on a request for assistance and that he has no personal ties to Bobrisky.

He explained: “I never had any relationship with Bobrisky before that phone call. He messaged me on Instagram and said, ‘I’m in this case, and I want to speak to you about how you can help.’ Thousands of people reach out to me in similar ways. This wasn’t an exceptional case.”

He noted that his decision to offer help was made out of compassion, as is often the case when individuals contact him seeking legal or financial aid.

However, he admitted that the experience has made him reconsider how he responds to such requests in the future.

He added: “In many of these situations, I usually give people an audience. But little did I know… As they say, once bitten, twice shy. I may not stop helping people entirely, but I will be far more cautious.”

Falz also addressed the defamation lawsuit he and his father, prominent human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN), filed against VeryDarkMan.

The case, currently before a Nigerian court, alleges that the social media figure defamed both Falz and his father by disseminating false claims and unauthorizedly releasing private communications.

He revealed that VDM has yet to submit a formal defence, having instead challenged the court’s jurisdiction.

Falz stated: “There’s a substantive suit which myself my dad and I filed for defamation. Since we initiated the case, they have not filed a defence. They only submitted a preliminary objection, claiming the court lacks jurisdiction.

The court has now dismissed that objection, and the case will proceed unless a defence is filed.”

While refraining from commenting further on the ongoing legal proceedings due to their sensitive nature, Falz reiterated his commitment to seeing justice served and protecting his reputation.