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Bobrisky Allegations: Femi Falana breaks silence, opens up on his son’s deal with Bobrisky, others
Human rights activist and lawyer Femi Falana has addressed the allegations surrounding the ‘presidential pardon’ involving himself, controversial crossdresser Idris Okuneye, also known as Bobrisky and his son, Falz, for the first time.
In September, PREMIUM TIMES reported social media influencer Martins ‘VeryDarkMan’ Otse posted a leaked audio of Bobrisky on his Instagram page wherein the crossdresser indicted Mr Falana and his son.
In the leaked audio, Bobrisky alleged that Mr Falana and his son contacted him while he was imprisoned at Kirikiri Correctional Centre to help him secure a presidential pardon if he (Bobrisky) paid him (Mr Falana) N10 million.
Falz responded the allegations, demanding an apology and retraction from VeryDarkMan within 24 hours.
Addressing the allegations during an interview on Channels TV Politics Today with Seun Okinbaloye on Thursday, Mr Falana denied ever contacting Bobrisky.
He stated: “I have never met Bobrisky, and he has never spoken to me. It’s been alleged that he contacted my son, Falz. My son told me Bobrisky reached out to him on 4 May, asking for N3 million to be placed in a VIP section of the prison, where he was seeking special accommodations.
“My son asked him if he was calling under the authorisation of the prison superintendent, and he said no. My son told him not to call again, as he would not assist in bribing prison authorities. He also warned him to be cautious, reminding him that he was already in jail for an offence. My son said, ‘Please if you need to contact me again, do so through the Superintendent or with a letter endorsed by the prison authority. And that was the last.’”
Mr Falana expressed his concerns and surprise at the House of Representatives’ decision to establish a committee to investigate allegations that Bobrisky served his jail term in the VIP section of the prison.
He added that it was hard to believe the House is feigning ignorance of the existence of VIP sections in Nigerian prisons.
This newspaper reported that the House of Representatives summoned VeryDarkMan, Bobrisky, the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) regarding the allegations.
While Bobrisky was absent from the panel session, the other parties attended and provided their accounts of the events.
‘I am surprised that the House of Representatives is pretending to be unaware that there’s a VIP in prison, and they proceeded to set up a panel to assess the state of our correctional centres. The Correctional Service Act of 2019 has made provisions for addressing the misconduct of prison officers”, he said.
Mr Falana also refuted claims that Falz negotiated a N10 million payment with Bobrisky for a presidential pardon, emphasising that he secured pardons for numerous convicts without charges.
Additionally, he stated that he would not pursue a criminal complaint against VeryDarkMan, acknowledging his role as an advocate for freedom of expression.
He said, “This is what I’m going to do. I have resisted the temptation to file a criminal complaint because I lead a team of West African lawyers campaigning for decriminalising freedom of expression.
We have successfully coordinated this campaign, which is being coordinated by the Media Foundation for West Africa, of which I am a board member. We have achieved this in Liberia, Ghana, and Sierra Leone, and we are still appealing to other countries on the continent to do the same.
“But this does not grant a license for defaming or blackmailing others. We’re saying that if someone defames you, you should sue for libel. In this case, we will not file a criminal complaint; we won’t be pressured.
Instead, we will pursue civil proceedings to restore our integrity, my name, and that of my son, so that no one will recklessly rush to social media to defame any Nigerian.”
He emphasised that the VeryDarkMan case is an example of social media users spreading false allegations and defaming others without evidence.
We want to set an example with this case. We have requested a retraction and an apology, which we believe is not too much to ask. Since neither has been provided or accepted, we expect him to initiate civil proceedings in the High Court”, he added.
In April, the EFCC arrested Bobrisky and charged him with six counts of money laundering and Naira mutilation.
During his trial at the Federal High Court in Lagos, Judge Abimbola Awogboro dismissed the money laundering charges (counts five and six) but sentenced him to six months in prison for Naira abuse.
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AFCON 2025Q: Eguavoen excuses bereaved Nwabali from Amavubi clash
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
Super Eagles caretaker coach, Augustine Eguavoen, has excused Stanley Nwabali from the team’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match against Rwanda
The Chippa United lost his father on Friday morning.
The former surveyor died at the age of 67.
“He (Nwabali) has been excused from the game. However, the player will come to watch the match and cheer his team mates on,” team administrator, Dayo Enebi Achor, told thenff.com.
Eguavoen now has two goalkeepers, Maduka Okoye and Amas Obasogie available for the game.
The Super Eagles will host the Rwandans at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo on Monday.
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Gov Okpebholo Makes Six Fresh Appointments In Edo
The Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has approved the appointment of six more persons to serve in various capacities in his government.
Those appointed include Dr. Emmanuel Paddy lyamu as the Executive Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB); Lucky Enehita-Inegbenehi as the Managing Director of the State Waste Management Board; and CP Friday Ibadin, Rtd, State Corps Commander, Edo State Security Corps Governance.
Others are Stainless M.I. Ijeghede as the Managing Director, Edo State Traffic Management Agency, (EDSTMA); Sir (Dr.) Lucky Eseigbe, as Managing Director, Edo State Public Building and Maintenance Agency; and Engr. Emmanuel Ehidiamen Okoebor, as Hon. Commissioner of Finance-designate.
In a statement on Friday by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Fred Itua, made available to newsmen in Benin City, he said the six appointments take effect from November 15, 2024.
Dr. Iyamu holds a Bachelor of Science and a Masters in Business Administration from the University of Benin. He is also a holder of Doctor of Science in Petroleum Resources from the European American University.
Iyamu is a strategic leader and renowned expert in security, business administration, human resources. An alumnus of Oxford University (Said Business School), he holds a Professional Doctorate in Leadership and Management from City University of Paris.
With over 15 years of experience, Dr. Iyamu has excelled across the banking, oil, and gas sectors, significantly improving corporate security and crisis management operations.
Until his appointment, Dr. Iyamu was the Chief Executive Oficer of Gabbem Integrated Services Lid, a leading company specialized in marine equipment and services.
Similarly, the second appointee Enehita-Inegbenehi obtained his B.Sc. (Human Resource d M.Sc. in Strategic Leadership and Governance from the University of Cape Coast respectively.
He is a dynamic and result-oriented professional, with an extensive experience in leadership and human resource management. He has proven abilities to analyze complex issues, develop effective strategies and guide teams towards success while fostering professional growth.
Inegbenehi was the Chief Executive Officer of JEI Visions Iron Metals, JEI Visions Service Apartments as well as JEI Visions Cleaning Services.
The third appointee CP Ibadan worked and retiredY from the Nigeria Police after a meritorious 35 years of service. He was one of the 11 officers seconded to the United Nations Mission in Kosovo and was a regional officer in the Headquarters.
He has attended various security courses in Egypt, France, USA among others. CP Friday Obadin holds the Bachelor Degrees in Philosophy and Law, respectively and was later called to the Nigerian Bar in the year 2007.
He is a member of Afican centre from crime prevention research studies, Cairo, Egypt. He is happily married with children.
The fourth appointee ljeghede holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering. He had a successful career in the Petroleum Industry, having worked and held sensitive positions, particularly in the Well Engineering and Safety Department in Shell Petroleum Development Company Nigeria Ltd.
He retired from the Service of Shell after a meritorious service.
The fifth appointee Eseigbe obtained his LL.B and LL.M at the Ambrose Alli University Ekpoma respectively. Until this appointment, Lucky Eseigbe Esq, was a Legislative Aide/Legal Adviser/Consultant to notable Honourable Members of the National Assembly of the Federal Republic of Nigeria from year 2007 to November 2024.
The sixth appointee Okoebor was born on October 21, 1972. He had his first degree in Civil Engineering and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Benin, Benin City respectively.
Engr. Okoebor, MBA has over 25 years of experience in the Banking Sector, including roles at the Standard Trust and United Bank of Africa (UBA).
He rose through the ranks in the Banking Industry to the position of Assistant General Manager (AGM) and is currently Regional Manager, United Bank of Africa (UBA) overseeing 15 Business Offices.
Engr. Emmanuel Ehidiamen Okoebor MBA is also a member of the Nigerian Society of Engineers and a registered member of COREN.
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Just in: Tyson well beaten in heavyweight comeback, by Youtuber Jake Paul
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
Tyson, 58, could hardly lay a punch during the eight-round bout at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, with Paul winning by big margins on all three cards – 80-72, 79-73 and 79-73.
Paul, 27, used his superior speed and movement to dominate the ageing Tyson with ease, and had the former undisputed heavyweight champion in trouble after landing a flurry of punches in the third round.
Yet the younger fighter was unable to land the knockout blow he had promised to deliver during Thursday’s ill-tempered weigh-in, where Tyson slapped him across the face.
Tyson, however, looked every bit of his 58 years, managing to land only a handful of meaningful punches during the fight.
Final statistics showed Tyson connected with just 18 of 97 punches thrown while Paul threw some 278 punches and landed 78 of them.
As the final seconds of the eighth round counted down, Paul could even afford to bow in respect to Tyson before the bell sounded. (AFP, excluding headline)
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