Other News
Falana Fires Back At Bobrisky Allegations, Prepares Defamation Lawsuit
Femi Falana, a prominent human rights lawyer, has denied allegations that he or his son, rapper Falz, were involved in securing a VIP section in prison for Idris Okuneye, popularly known as Bobrisky.
In an interview on Channels Television on Thursday, Falana dismissed claims made by controversial activist Martins Vincent Otse, known as VeryDarkMan, that the lawyer and his son were part of an arrangement to secure Bobrisky’s release in exchange for money.
Read Also: Naira Strengthens As Dollar Supply Rises By 147.66%
Recently, Otse shared an audio recording where Bobrisky alleged that Falana and Falz had contacted her in prison.
Bobrisky claimed that Falz visited her while she was incarcerated and that both father and son had offered to secure her a presidential pardon in exchange for ₦10 million.
Falana refuted these allegations, calling them “infantile radicalism.”
He clarified that Bobrisky had reached out to Falz asking for ₦3 million to secure placement in a VIP section of the prison, a request Falz firmly declined.
“My son told Bobrisky that he could not assist in bribing prison authorities and warned him not to call again unless it was through official channels,” Falana explained.
The senior lawyer stressed that neither he nor Falz had ever negotiated fees on behalf of anyone, and he had never met Bobrisky.
Falana also mentioned that they plan to examine call logs to disprove the claims made in the recording.
Falana to Pursue Legal Action
Falana revealed that he has assisted 280 convicted individuals to secure pardons without ever collecting money. He recounted his involvement in securing pardon for Nigerian soldiers and citizens convicted of drug-related offenses in Libya.
The lawyer expressed frustration with the spread of false claims and defamation on social media, particularly by young activists who fail to understand the legal implications of their actions.
“I have never received any money for the pardons I’ve secured. This attempt to defame my character and that of my son will be met with civil legal proceedings,” Falana said, adding that criminal charges would not be pursued.
While Falana has led campaigns in West Africa to decriminalize freedom of expression, he warned that this freedom should not be misused to defame others.
His legal team plans to pursue civil procedures to restore their reputation and send a message to those who use social media recklessly.
“We will make an example of this case,” Falana concluded, urging for a more responsible use of social media platforms in Nigeria.
Bobrisky, who was sentenced to six months in prison for abusing the naira in April, has not yet responded to the latest developments.
Other News
Music Icon Quincy Jones Passes Away At 91
Quincy Jones, the legendary music producer, composer, and cultural icon whose career spanned over seven decades, has passed away at the age of 91.
Jones died peacefully on Sunday night at his Bel Air home, surrounded by family, according to his publicist, Arnold Robinson.
“Tonight, with full but broken hearts, we must share the news of our father and brother Quincy Jones’ passing,” his family said in a statement. “And although this is an incredible loss for our family, we celebrate the great life that he lived and know there will never be another like him.”
Renowned for his unmatched versatility, Jones collaborated with some of the greatest musical talents of the 20th and 21st centuries, including Michael Jackson, Frank Sinatra, Aretha Franklin, and Will Smith. He played an integral role in producing Jackson’s groundbreaking albums Off the Wall, Thriller, and Bad, which catapulted the pop star to global superstardom and earned Jones worldwide acclaim.
READ MORE: JUST IN: Tinubu Swears In Seven Newly-Appointed Ministers
Born in Chicago in 1933, Jones’ journey into music began early. His childhood introduction came from a neighbor’s piano playing and his mother’s singing. After moving to Washington state following his parents’ divorce, he honed his skills in his high school band and began playing with a young Ray Charles in Seattle’s vibrant club scene.
Jones’ career took off in New York, where he played trumpet in Elvis Presley’s early TV performances and worked with bebop legends like Charlie Parker and Miles Davis. By 1958, he was working with Frank Sinatra, arranging for the singer’s band at the request of Princess Grace Kelly. Their partnership flourished, spanning several projects including Sinatra’s final album LA Is My Lady in 1984.
Throughout the 1960s and 70s, Jones’ talents extended into film and television scores, composing music for films such as The Italian Job, In the Heat of the Night, and the acclaimed The Color Purple, for which he earned three Oscar nominations. He also scored hit TV shows including The Bill Cosby Show and Roots.
In 1985, Jones produced and co-conducted the charity anthem “We Are the World” alongside Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie, raising millions for Ethiopian famine relief. Despite personal and professional challenges—including surviving a near-fatal brain aneurysm in 1974—Jones’s career continued to thrive.
Jones’ influence wasn’t limited to music. In 1990, he founded Quincy Jones Entertainment, the company behind the popular sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, which launched the career of Will Smith. His media ventures also included the creation of Qwest TV, an on-demand music streaming service, and the magazine Vibe, which celebrated Black music and culture.
Over his career, Jones earned 80 Grammy nominations, winning 28—making him one of the most decorated artists in the award’s history. Tributes poured in following news of his death. Actor Michael Caine, who shared Jones’ birthdate, called him “a wonderful and unique human being.” Music artists such as LL Cool J expressed gratitude, saying, “You were a father and example at a time when I truly needed one. Music would not be music without you.”
Jones is survived by his seven children, leaving behind an indelible legacy that will resonate through generations to come. His life’s work transformed music, television, and culture, proving that there truly was no limit to what Quincy Jones could accomplish.
Other News
Prayers Won’t Build Roads, Fund Children’s Education – Jesse Jagz To Nigerians
Singer and rapper Jesse Jagz has called on Nigerians to rethink their approach to religion.
Jagz suggested that African traditional religious gods have become ineffective, attributing this to the excessive alcohol given to them during rituals, which, according to him, has made them obese, diabetic, and unable to aid their worshipers.
Speaking on the ‘Big Talk’ podcast, the rapper also criticized followers of foreign religions for relying solely on prayer and expecting miracles without putting in the necessary effort. He stressed that prayers alone cannot provide essential social services or infrastructure.
READ MORE: SERAP Issues Tinubu 48-Hour Ultimatum Over Detained Minors
“When you go to a shrine and you see the priest pouring gin on the gods, Google how much a bottle of gin was in slavery. 40 slaves.
“Our gods are drunk on alcohol and meat. They are obese and diabetic.
“They can’t help us do anything. Prayers do not build roads or buy books for children. We have forgotten humanity,” he said.
Other News
Presidents Invite Me To Dinner Wherever I Go – Davido Boasts
Renowned Nigerian singer, David Adeleke, known by his stage name Davido, has stated that he receives special treatment globally due to his celebrity status.
The Afrobeats sensation mentioned that he is frequently invited to presidential dinners in nearly every country he visits, with the exception of the United States and the United Kingdom.
In a recent interview with Kiss Fresh London, Davido confidently shared that his fanbase includes influential figures such as the World Bank president, presidents of powerful nations, and other notable personalities.
READ MORE: Sanwo-Olu, Dignitaries Set To Attend Lagos Social Media Hangout
“Every country we go to, the President invites us for dinner except London [United Kingdom] and the United States of America.
“It’s beautiful to see. I mean, leaving my country, Nigeria, and people welcoming me like the president in other countries, shows how well Nigeria is doing around the world in terms of music and cultural impacts,” he said.
Davido has expressed that he feels most respected in Africa, which is why he cherishes his African tours more than those in Europe and America, even though the latter bring him greater financial rewards.
He shared that his Jamaican collaborator, YG Marley, was astonished by the immense admiration from fans when he visited Nigeria for the video shoot of their joint hit, ‘Awuke.’