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.