On September 26, 2024, Nigerian rapper and activist Folarin Falana, popularly known as Falz, made headlines when he posted a legal letter addressed to activist Martins Vincent Otse, a.k.a. VDM (Very Dark Man), on his X (formerly Twitter) page. This came in response to a controversial video posted by VDM on September 25, 2024, accusing Falz and his father, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Femi Falana, of aiding controversial Nigerian internet personality Bobrisky in securing a pardon during his legal battle with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The letter, shared with the caption
"24 hrs @thatverydarkman,"
revealed Falz’s legal response to the claims made by VDM. The video, which quickly went viral, implicated Falz and his father in helping Bobrisky avoid justice, suggesting that they were involved in corrupt dealings to secure his pardon. VDM expressed disappointment, stating,
“I will be disappointed if truly FALZ and his father are involved in this whole Bobrisky issue...”
Falz, through his counsel, vehemently denied the accusations. According to the letter signed by Taiwo E. Olawanle, Esq., the claims were deemed defamatory, portraying Falz as complicit in corrupt practices and questioning his integrity as a human rights activist. The letter also set the record straight, explaining that Bobrisky had indeed reached out to Falz on May 4, 2024, requesting legal advice regarding his charges. However, instead of discussing his case, Bobrisky asked Falz for N3 million to pay correctional officers, a request Falz declined, advising against bribery.
24 hrs @thatverydarkman @thatverydarkmnn pic.twitter.com/JjcRo0Y6nn
— Bop Daddy (@falzthebahdguy) September 25, 2024
The letter demanded VDM retract his statements and issue a public apology within 24 hours. Failure to comply, the letter warned, would lead to legal actions seeking monetary damages for defamation.
At the time of this writing, VDM has yet to respond publicly to the legal threat. The post by Falz sparked intense discussions across social media, with many weighing in on the controversy. Some questioned the validity of the accusations made by VDM, while others debated the role public figures play in legal matters involving high-profile individuals like Bobrisky.
This situation raises important questions about the power of social media in shaping public opinion and the consequences of spreading unverified claims. As an outspoken advocate for human rights, Falz has always positioned himself as a voice against injustice, making these allegations particularly damaging to his reputation.
With 24 hours on the clock, all eyes are now on VDM to see whether he will retract his statements or face a legal battle with one of Nigeria’s most prominent legal families.
Below is the letter:
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