News
My dad has no dealings with Bobrisky – Falana’s daughter
***Says, they are set to battle VDM in court
By Francesca Hangeior.
Folakemi Falana, daughter of human rights lawyer Femi Falana, has fired back at accusations of bribery and corruption involving her father, her brother, Falz, and Nigerian socialite Bobrisky.
In a statement on her Instagram page on Friday, Folakemi clarified that her father had never met or spoken to Bobrisky and that Bobrisky reached out to Falz for financial assistance to stay in the VIP section of prison without discussing a presidential pardon.
She shared documents showing Falana & Falana’s history of applying for presidential pardons free of charge since 2016, emphasizing that anyone can request a pardon for a convicted person in Nigeria.
Folakemi expressed frustration that some Nigerians are quick to believe baseless accusations, including claims of Falz being homosexual and having an affair with Bobrisky.
She wrote, “My Parents and our firm, Falana & Falana have been applying for presidential pardons for Nigerians FREE way before a lot of you were born or before you could talk. Slide 1 is from 2016 and Slide 2 is from 2022.
“It’s crazy that some Nigerians act like they can’t read or think for themselves. It’s unfortunate.
“It’s even crazier that all it takes is for a ridiculous character like VDM to accuse my dad and Falz of bribery, corruption and perversion of the course of Justice and you suddenly forget who they are and what they stand for. For him to have the audacity to go as far as even accusing Falz of being homosexual and having an affair with Bobrisky is wild. The fact that some of you believe it, is what is blowing my mind.
“For the record, anyone can write the president to request a pardon for any convicted person in Nigeria.
“To be crystal clear, the facts are as follows: 1) My dad has never met or talked to Bobrisky whether directly or via a proxy.
“2) Bobrisky reached out to Falz the same way he reached out to many other celebrities asking for money. The reason he gave was so that he could afford to stay in the VIP section of prison. He never discussed a presidential pardon with him. He said he was reaching out from prison Falz had no reason to believe otherwise.
“3) DO you think my dad or Falz need Bob’s money??? for what?.”
Folakemi condemned the accusations as baseless and threatened legal action against the accuser, VeryDarkMan (VDM), saying “Seeing as you have refused to do the needful, #verydarkblackman see you in court.”
Recall that VeryDarkMan recently released audio recordings where Bobrisky allegedly claimed that Femi Falana and his son, Falz, had contacted him before his release from prison.
The recordings also suggested that Femi Falana arranged a settlement for 10 million naira to resolve the case.
Reacting to these allegations, Falz issued a 24-hour ultimatum to VDM, demanding the removal of all defamatory statements.
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
Again, three members of the House of Representatives from Katsina State officially defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) during plenary at the National Assembly today.
The defection was formally announced during plenary and has immediately altered the political composition of Katsina’s representation in the House.
Lawmakers who Defected: Hon. Salisu Yusuf Majigiri – Representing Mashi/Dutsi Federal Constituency Hon. Aliyu Iliyasu Ruma – Representing Batsari/Safana/Danmusa Federal Constituency Hon. Abdullahi Balarabe Dabai – Representing Bakori/Danja Federal Constituency
Defection Confirmed in House Plenary The Speaker of the House of Representatives formally acknowledged the defection letters submitted by the lawmakers. The legislators cited internal crises within the PDP in their respective constituencies and the inability of the party to uphold democratic principles as key reasons for their decision. Hon. Salisu Majigiri, a former chairman of the PDP in Katsina State, was considered one of the strongest opposition figures in the region. His move to the APC is seen as a major win for the ruling party, particularly ahead of future political calculations in the North-West.
By Francesca Hangeior
Some academics and alumni have called for the urgent constitution of a new governing council for the University of Abuja.
They also asked the federal government to extend the tenure of the acting vice-chancellor of the University, Patricia Lar who has three months left in her appointment.
Although her mandate is for six months, they want it extended to allow for the completion of ongoing reforms.
The academics said this would enable her to continue the ‘rescue mission’ gains the university is experiencing under her leadership.
They said this in a joint statement signed by Godwin Okaneme of the department of philosophy, Iheanyichukwu Ukpabi of the department of policy and strategic studies, Abuja Leadership Centre, and Umoru Abdulrasheed Oseni of the faculty of education at the university.
The academics described her emergence as a “rescue mission” following the removal of Aisha Maikudi, the former VC, on February 6.
The statement said: “The University does not yet have a full-fledged Governing Council. We appeal to the Federal Government to expedite action on the appointment of a Governing Council for the University to enable the institution run effectively and efficiently without encumbrances.
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The Federal High Court in Abuja has quashed a suit filed by MultiChoice Nigeria, the parent company of DStv and GOtv, challenging the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission’s (FCCPC) intervention in its recent subscription price hike.
Delivering judgement on Thursday, Justice James Omotoso ruled that the suit constituted an abuse of court process as similar proceedings were already pending elsewhere.
He stressed that the plaintiff should have pursued its arguments in that court, rendering the current filing procedurally inappropriate.
Justice Omotoso noted that while the FCCPC has investigative powers under its establishing Act, it lacks the authority to fix or suspend prices unless specifically delegated by the President through a gazetted instrument. No such delegation was presented to the court.
“The power to fix prices is exclusively that of the President. Any decision taken without such delegation is a nullity,” he stated.
He added that Nigeria operates a free market system, and service providers like MultiChoice retain the right to set their prices, with consumers free to accept or reject them.
The judge further ruled that FCCPC’s actions, including directing MultiChoice to suspend its price increase, breached the company’s right to fair hearing and appeared selectively targeted.
He dismissed the FCCPC’s claim that MultiChoice held a dominant market position, calling the argument untenable.
The use of services like those provided by the plaintiff is discretionary and not essential. Nigeria can do without it,” he added.
He warned that attempts to fix prices by regulatory bodies could scare off investors and harm the economy.
The court held that while the FCCPC may investigate market practices, it cannot impose price controls without proper legal backing.
MultiChoice had increased subscription rates by up to 25% on March 1, 2025, citing inflation and operational cost pressures.
The FCCPC opposed the move and threatened to sanction the firm.
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