Femi Falana, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), has revealed that he and his family have been subjected to death threats following his decision to pursue legal action against the controversial activist known as VeryDarkMan. The threats, according to Falana, have escalated to targeting one of his daughters, warning of harm if he proceeds with the lawsuit.
The case centers around an audio recording recently shared by VeryDarkMan, whose real name is Martins Vincent Otse. In the recording, Bobrisky, the well-known Nigerian crossdresser, allegedly claimed that Falana and his son, popular rapper Falz, attempted to secure her a presidential pardon during her six-month sentence for naira abuse. Bobrisky accused the Falanas of offering help in exchange for N10 million.
Following the release of the recording, VeryDarkMan publicly criticized Falana, saying he had lost respect for the senior lawyer due to his supposed involvement in the matter. However, both Bobrisky and Falana have since denied the accusations, with Bobrisky threatening to sue the activist for defamation. Falana and Falz have also demanded a retraction and public apology from VeryDarkMan, warning that they will take legal action if their demands are not met.
In an interview with Sahara Reporters on Monday, Falana disclosed the seriousness of the threats he has received since the controversy began. He described the situation as “disturbing,” particularly the direct threats to his daughter.
“The only disturbing part of this whole situation is the threat to me and one of my daughters,” Falana said. “Some individuals, who I believe are mentally unstable, have sent messages saying, ‘If you go to court, we will burn your office.’ They have also sent threats to one of my daughters, saying, ‘If your father goes to court, we will kill you.’”
Falana expressed his disbelief at the threats, saying, “I beg your pardon, in this country? I just laughed and told my daughter not to worry. I will handle it. I have already taken action. We must let these people know where we stand.”
The threats have sparked outrage among supporters of Falana, a respected human rights lawyer known for his advocacy and legal work on behalf of the marginalized. Many have expressed concern for the safety of his family as the case continues to unfold.
Despite the growing tension, Falana has maintained his resolve to see the matter through in court, reinforcing his commitment to legal action if VeryDarkMan does not retract his statements and offer a formal apology.
