Crime
Bobrisky Scandal: Legal Expert Warns Of Consequences From VeryDarkMan’s Claims
In the midst of a heated defamation controversy involving human rights lawyer Femi Falana and social media influencer Martins Vincent Otse, known as VeryDarkMan, another notable legal figure has stepped in.
Public interest lawyer Inibehe Effiong has critiqued VeryDarkMan’s handling of the matter, pointing out key legal missteps in his approach.
Read Also: Bobrisky: Falana Responds To Allegations Against Him, Gives Ultimatum To VeryDarkMan
In a statement shared on X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday, Effiong took issue with VeryDarkMan’s understanding of libel law.
He remarked, “Saying that you expected Femi Falana to write to Bobrisky and not you, who actually published the defamatory matter, is just a demonstration of your acute lack of knowledge of the law of libel.”
He stressed that VeryDarkMan’s personal remarks and his involvement in sharing defamatory audio held him legally responsible.
“Even if you intend to argue fair comment in court, your personal, prejudicial statements weaken your case. Emotion and the law are separate matters,” Effiong continued.
He further clarified that defamation could still be actionable even without directly naming individuals, provided society can reasonably infer the identity of the person being defamed.
“If reasonable and right-thinking members of society can deduce from your statement who the defamatory remarks were targeting, and if this lowers the public’s opinion of that individual, you are legally liable,” Effiong explained.
The controversy erupted after VeryDarkMan shared an audio implicating Femi Falana’s son, rapper Folarin Falana (known as Falz), in a conversation involving Nigerian crossdresser Idris Okuneye, better known as Bobrisky.
In the recording, Bobrisky allegedly claimed that, after his sentencing in April for defacing naira notes, his godfather, with the help of the Controller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service, arranged for him to serve his six-month sentence in a private apartment.
Bobrisky also purportedly stated that Falz and his father, Falana, had contacted him, offering to secure a Federal Government pardon for ₦10 million.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has withdrawn the arrest warrant issued against Ezekiel Thankgod, the former manager of renowned gospel singer, Mercy Chinwo.
Biztellers reports that Thankgod is facing allegations of involvement in a $345,000 fraud case.
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The arrest warrant had been issued by Justice Alexander Owoeye of the Federal High Court on January 16, 2025, following an ex parte application by the EFCC seeking to compel Thankgod’s appearance in court.
During a court session on Friday, EFCC counsel, Mrs. Bilikisu Buhari, applied to withdraw the warrant, stating that the charges had already been served on Thankgod’s lawyer, Mr. Monday Ubani, SAN, during open court proceedings.
She argued that the warrant was no longer necessary.
Justice Owoeye granted the application and formally vacated the bench warrant.
Oba Otudeko, Chairman of Honeywell Group, appeared in the Federal High Court in Lagos on Monday to challenge charges of N12.3 billion fraud.
Biztellers reports that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had filed a 13-count indictment against Otudeko, along with Olabisi Onasanya, former Managing Director of FirstBank Plc., Soji Akintayo, a former board member of Honeywell, and Anchorage Leisure Ltd.
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During the proceedings, the defendants’ lawyer, Mr. Bode Olanipekun (SAN), raised an objection, stating that the charge had not been properly served to Otudeko or his co-defendants.
Olanipekun emphasized this issue as a reason for protest in court.
The EFCC has accused the individuals and the company of fraudulently obtaining N12.3 billion under false pretenses.
More to follow………..
Crime
Arrested Boko Haram Suspects: Adeleke Commends Security Operatives, Assures Safety Of Residents
Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke has commended the personnel of the Department of State Services (DSS), on the successful operation, that led to the arrest of 10 suspected members of Boko Haram/Islamic State’s West Africa Province (ISWAP) in Ilesa, Osun State.
Gov Adeleke expressed his feelings in a statement on micro-blogging site, X, on Saturday.
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According to the statement, Gov Adeleke hailed the alertness of security operatives, to eliminate the threats posed by the suspected terrorists, which gives further assurance that our security agencies are up to the task of sustaining peace and security of every part of Nigeria.
He particularly commended the intelligence gathering of the personnel of the State Service, who have painstakingly monitor the activities of the suspected criminals and moved swiftly to cut off their dastardly act.
“This is a welcome development and a big relief, not just for us as a government but to the people of the state and Nigeria in general. I commend the security operatives for their alertness and intelligence driven operation. We have absolute confidence in our security forces to keep protecting us”, Gov Adeleke declared.
He assured that his administration will continue to cooperate with security agencies and support their operations to ensure maximum protection of lives and property of Osun people, noting that this remains top of his priority.
“As the Chief Security Officer of Osun State, I will continue to give priority to issues of security of my people. I will continue to support efforts of security agencies to guard against any breakdown of law and order in any part of Osun. We will sustain the good relationship and collaboration that currently exists between our administration and the security agencies in the state” the Governor noted.
Gov Adeleke enjoined residents of Osun to continue to be watchful, and report any suspicious activity in their neighborhoods to relevant security agency, while assuring that Osun will continue to be a peaceful state under his watch.
“I hereby call on my people to continue to live in peace and harmony and be at alert to report any suspicious activities or behavior around them to the relevant security authorities. Together, we will ensure that Osun remains the most peaceful state in Nigeria” he concluded.
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