The ongoing legal dispute between Nigerian human rights activist Folarin Falana, popularly known as Falz, and social media influencer Martins Vincent Otse, better known as VeryDarkMan, has taken another turn.
VeryDarkMan’s lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, has responded to Falz’s defamation claims, arguing that his client’s actions were not defamatory, but rather an attempt to shed light on serious allegations made by Idris Okuneye, also known as Bobrisky.
In a formal letter dated September 25, 2024, Adeyanju emphasized that the voice recording published by VeryDarkMan on social media was meant to bring attention to Bobrisky’s claims, which warrant a thorough investigation by relevant authorities. He stated that VeryDarkMan holds Femi Falana, a renowned Senior Advocate of Nigeria, in high esteem and recognizes his commitment to human rights and the rule of law in Nigeria.
Adeyanju maintained that an interagency investigation into the allegations is the proper course of action, rather than pursuing a defamation lawsuit. He also pointed out that Falz himself confirmed some elements of the voice note in an earlier letter from his legal team.
This development follows Falz’s demand for a retraction and apology from VeryDarkMan, with his legal team threatening legal action if the demands are not met within 24 hours.
As the legal battle unfolds, the spotlight is on whether the case will proceed as a defamation lawsuit or if an interagency investigation will be conducted. The public is eagerly watching to see how this drama unfolds.