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In 42 Years Of Practice, I Never Asked For A Kobo To Write Letter Of Pardon For Anyone – Falana
By Mario Deepromoter
Constitutional lawyer, Femi Falana, SAN, has declared that in his 42 years of legal practice, he has never demanded for “a kobo to write a letter of pardon for anybody.”
Falana, who stated that he and his family members had received threats to life, was reacting to the controversy surrounding claims by a social media influencer, Martins Vincent Otse, also known as VeryDarkMan, on the prison term of crossdresser Okuneye Idris, more commonly called Bobrisky.
The allegations stemmed from VeryDarkMan’s claim in a recent video that Falana attempted to secure Bobrisky’s release from prison following the crossdresser’s conviction by the court in April.
In an interview with Sahara TV, Falana disclosed that he had been threatened by some elements, warning him not to approach the court.
Falana described those behind the threats as “mentally deranged”.
As a prominent human rights activist and lawyer, Falana has a history of advocating for justice and defending the rights of marginalised individuals and communities.
He is the founder of Falana & Falana Chambers, a law firm that specialises in human rights law, criminal law, and civil litigation.
Speaking in the interview, he said: “The only disturbing area in this scenario is the threat to me and one of my two daughters. Some of these guys who I believe are mentally deranged have dared me, If you like, if you go to court, we shall burn your office.
“They have also sent messages to one of my daughters that if your father goes to court, we shall kill you. I beg your pardon in this country, I just laughed and I asked my daughter, don’t worry, I will take it up.
“I have already taken that up because we must also let these guys know where we are coming from.”
He maintained to remain an advocate for human rights, saying he would continue to use his platform to assist more persons, without seeking anything in return.
“As a policy, we do not collect fees to write letters for pardon. It is not part of our system because we do not profit from the tragedy of people.
“Once we identify a case of mistrial, injustice or subversion of the judicial system, we intervene.”
Falana cited multiple instances from his 42-year legal career where he intervened in cases of alleged injustice without charging a fee.
“I did a letter addressed to the then Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Ralf Aragbesola, on the day he received the letter, he ordered the authorities of the correction centre, Kirikiri correction Centre to release them, only two of them came here to thank me.”
“In the last 42 years of my legal practice, I have never ever demanded for a kobo to write a letter of pardon for anybody,” he said.
By Francesca Hangeior
The All Progressives Congress has congratulated the Ondo State Governor, Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, on his re-election in the just-concluded governorship election.
Aiyedatiwa won the election, having polled a total of 366,781 votes across all 18 Local Government Areas of the state.
He defeated his closest rival — Agboola Ajayi of the Peoples Democratic Party, who got 117,845 votes.
In a statement issued by the APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, on Sunday, and made available to PUNCH Online, the party described Aiyedatiwa as a “clear attestation” that his administration’s policies “resonated deeply with the electorate.”
The statement read, “The All Progressives Congress (APC) heartily congratulates the Governor of Ondo State, His Excellency, Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, on his re-election.
“Your Excellency’s resounding victory in the just-concluded Ondo State gubernatorial election is a clear attestation that your administration’s policies and programmes and campaign message of hope and consolidation have resonated deeply with the electorate.
*** says 163 victims saved between July, November
By Francesca Hangeior
The Nigerian in Diaspora Commission, NiDCOM, has successfully facilitated the rescue and repatriation of 13 trafficked Nigerian women from Ghana, bringing the total number of victims returned over the past five months to 163.
This was revealed in a statement by Abdur-Rahman Balogun, NiDCOM’s Director of Media, Public Relations, and Protocols.
The operation, executed through collaborative efforts, involved the Ghanaian Anti-Human Trafficking Police Unit, Rescue Live Foundation International, NIDO Ghana, and NiDCOM.
The latest group of rescued women, aged 19 to 30 years, hails from Ebonyi, Benue, Kaduna, and Rivers States.
It was gathered that they were lured to Ghana under false pretenses of employment but were subjected to exploitative conditions and coerced into secrecy oaths while their traffickers profited from their ordeal.
NiDCOM’s Chairman/CEO, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, expressed her gratitude to key supporters, including Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, and Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru, for their roles in ensuring the safe return of the victims.
She also praised Chief Callistus Elozieuwa, BOT Chairman of Rescue Live Foundation International/NIDO Ghana, and the Ghanaian Anti-Human Trafficking Police Unit for their commitment to prosecuting the traffickers.
Dabiri-Erewa reiterated NiDCOM’s commitment to protecting Nigerians abroad, aligning with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritizes combating human trafficking and safeguarding citizens’ rights.
Upon arrival in Nigeria, the women were handed over to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, NAPTIP, for rehabilitation and reintegration.
NiDCOM representative Akinboye Akinsola, who accompanied the women, noted that they willingly sought assistance after learning about previous rescue efforts in Ghana’s Kpone Katamanso and Tema regions.
Chief Callistus Elozieuwa highlighted the support provided to the women in Ghana, including temporary shelter, before their return to Nigeria.
Valentine Okike Uzo, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor of Ebonyi State, commended Governor Nwifuru’s dedication to supporting indigenes both at home and abroad. He assured that measures are in place to ensure proper rehabilitation for those returning to Ebonyi State.
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