Tag: Femi falana

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How Abacha Military Junta K!lled 4 Youths Plus Ogoni 9 – Falana

Human rights lawyer Femi Falana, SAN, has given a detailed account of how the Ogoni 4 and Ogoni 9 were brutally executed by the Sani Abacha military regime in 1995.

Falana made this known at the 84th posthumous birthday lecture of Ken Saro-Wiwa in Port Harcourt on Saturday.

The senior lawyer, who along with Gani Fawehinmi, SAN, defended Ken Saro-Wiwa and other MOSOP leaders said that they withdrew from the proceedings when the special military tribunal frustrated them from tendering vital material evidence in favour of the accused persons.

“In a desperate bid to exploit the oil resources without control, Shell Petroleum Development Company was granted licenses by the Nigerian State to import arms and ammunition into the country under the pretext of protecting its assets.

“The weapons were later found in the hands of militant youths as communities were instigated to attack and fight themselves. This was done to divert the attention of the people while the oil-rich region was fully exploited by Shell and other oil companies.

“When the divide and rule tactics of the multinational companies failed to silence the Ogoni people, the Task Force led by Col. Paul Okintimo took up the assignment of recruiting misguided militants to k!ll the Ogoni 4.

“Hence, when the leaders were attacked and k!lled by the youths, the soldiers who were present at the scene of the crime did not make any arrests. The bodies of the deceased were taken away by the soldiers to an unknown place.

“As soon as Col Okintimo informed the military authorities of the k!lling of the Ogoni 4, the military governor of Rivers State, Col. Dauda Komo announced that Ken Saro-Wiwa and other MOSOP leaders would be held vicariously liable for the brutal murder of the Ogoni 4.

“The prejudicial statement was made by Col Komo before the commencement of investigation into the dastardly act.

“The charge of murder filed at the High Court of Rivers State against Ken and other MOSOP leaders was discontinued when the prosecutors pointed out to the junta that the evidence was too weak to secure the conviction of the Ogoni 9.

“On the orders of General Sani Abacha, a special military tribunal was constituted for the trial. The tribunal rejected the vital material evidence of the defence to pave the way for the conviction and death sentences passed on the Ogoni 9,” he disclosed.

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News

IMF, World Bank Forced Nigeria to Remove Subsidy – Falana

Human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, has made an allegation against the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
He accused IMF and the World Bank of compelling Nigeria to remove petrol subsidies
Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, Falana argued that the removal was not a locally designed policy but an externally imposed condition.
 
“There’s no way you can remove subsidies completely; no country in the entire world has abolished subsidies completely,” he said. “Even leading Western countries like the United States, the United Kingdom, France and others subsidise electricity, agriculture and many aspects of people’s lives. It was the World Bank and the IMF that insisted the government must remove all subsidies.”
President Bola Tinubu announced the end of petrol subsidies on May 29, 2023, during his inauguration. Shortly after, the Central Bank of Nigeria unified the foreign exchange market.
Falana said the two policies have worsened inflation, driven up living costs, and deepened economic hardship for millions of Nigerians.
He also criticised the government’s plan to introduce a new five percent fuel surcharge, insisting that funds already owed to the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) must first be remitted.
Falana explained that section 14 of the FERMA Act 2007 established a five percent user charge on fuel sales, with 40 percent allocated to federal roads and 60 percent to state roads. He alleged that the funds were never implemented.
 
“Between 2007 and 2011, FERMA confirmed that no funds were remitted despite deductions from petrol prices at source,” he said. “By 2022, even the Senate confirmed that over one trillion naira was owed to FERMA. Before introducing new levies, the government must tell Nigerians what happened to the earlier deductions.”
He warned that imposing the new surcharge could amount to multiple taxation and further burden already struggling citizens.
Falana also urged an end to the “dollarisation” of the economy, noting that rejecting the naira for local transactions is a criminal offence.
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Dangote Fuel Sells Cheaper in Togo Than in Nigeria – Falana

Human rights activist Femi Falana, SAN has expressed concern over revelations that Dangote fuel is cheaper in Togo than in Nigeria.
Falana stated this while speaking on Sunday while responding to questions in an interview on Politics Today, a programme on Channels Television.
He urged the federal government to review the proposed 5 per cent fuel surcharge and ensure that further hardship is not imposed on Nigerians.
“I guess the government wants to go back to the drawing table and ensure that it is not accused of multiple taxes or double taxation because consumers will pay VAT for buying fuel. They will now put an additional 5 per cent tax.
 
“I think this is what Nigerians are complaining about. And from what we just read today is that the Dangote fuel taken from Nigeria is now cheaper in Togo than in Nigeria I think about 65 naira.
 
“So, the government will have to review these developments (the proposed 5 per cent fuel surcharge) and ensure more hardship is not imposed on Nigerians,” he said.
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News

‘Middle Class In Nigeria Has Been Wiped Out Under Tinubu’ – Falana Claims

A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, has claimed that the middle class no longer exits under President Bola Tinubu’s government.

Falana also questioned Tinubu’s economic reforms, warning that his “harsh neoliberal policies” have only seen a hike in poverty.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Monday, the human rights lawyer also claimed that Tinubu has handed Nigeria’s resources to a few people.

According to Falana, this has led to income inequality in the country.

He said: “You cannot be addressing income inequality in a country while handing over the nation’s resources to a few people in the name of privatisation.

“Most Nigerians cannot afford three square meals a day.

“The middle class has been wiped out by the neoliberal policies of the government.

Falana has now warned that “it is in the interest of the government to review its policies as soon as possible.”

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Entertainment News

Court Adjourns Falana’s Suit Against Verydarkman Till Next Year

The defamation suit against social media influencer, Vincent Otse, aka VeryDarkMan, VDM has been adjourned till January 23, 2025.
The suit was adjourned on Thursday by a Lagos High Court.
The defamation suit was brought against VDM by human rights activist, Femi Falana and his son, Folarin, popularly known as Falz.
Recall that VDM had arrived in court dressed in a red native attire, surrounded by fans cheering him on, but the Falanas were absent.
It was gathered that the case could not proceed because most of the applications filed by the parties are not yet in the court file. The court had to adjourn the hearing to January 23, 2025.
Recall that on October 14, Justice Matthias Dawodu while ruling on an exparte application for an order of interim and preemptive remedy brought by the Falanas, held that they have legal rights to be protected from being slandered.
The court also ordered VDM to bring down the alleged defamatory video that he made on September 24, 2025, against the SAN and his son.
Justice Dawodu also restrained the self-acclaimed social media police from further releasing, publishing, or circulating any defamatory videos and comments against the senior lawyer and his son on all his online social media handles and pages pending the hearing of the suit filed by the duo.
The judge further ordered that all the processes in the matter be served on VeryDarkMan through his lawyer, Deji Adeyanju.
The Falanas had dragged the defendant before the court in separate suits, claiming N500 million each as damages over a video he posted on his social media platforms alleging that they collected N10 million from Idris Okuneye, aka Bobrisky, to pervert the course of justice.
In their suits, the father and son submitted that the defendant knew all his comments were unverified and not true, yet he proceeded to publish the same to injure their reputation recklessly.
They also stated that the alleged defamatory publication is still trending on the defendant’s online handles and pages and as such, the injury to their reputation continues as long as the publication remains online.
In response, VDM applied to the court for leave to appeal the ruling.
He also submitted that a refusal by the court would amount to miscarriage of justice, as the case involves significant legal questions that merit further review.
He stated, “A refusal to grant leave may result in the enforcement of a decision that does not reflect a correct application of the law, leading to outcomes that may be detrimental not only to the parties involved but also to the administration of justice as a whole.
 
“The appellate court’s role in clarifying and, where necessary, correcting trial court decisions are vital in maintaining the integrity of the judicial system.”
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Entertainment News

I Did Not Give Falz Or Falana Money For Pardon Nor Defame Them, VDM Should Take Responsibility For The Released Audio – Bobrisky

Popular Nigerian crossdresser, Idris Okuneye aka Bobrisky has blatantly denied claims that he gave money to the Falanas to help him secure presidential pardon while he was imprisoned for Naira abuse.

He stated this on his Instastories hours after the Falanas gave him 12 hours to apologize for the claims he reportedly made in a viral audio clip released by Verydarkman VDM last month.

Recall that VDM had released two audio clips purportedly of Bobrisky speaking to a man.  In one of the recordings, the person claimed to be Bobrisky said that he had spoken with Falz to request his help in convincing his father (Falana) to secure a presidential pardon, which allegedly involved a payment of N10 million. The person further claimed that he asked Falz for N3 million to ensure preferential treatment at Kirikiri Correctional Centre.

In another audio released by VeryDarkMan, the person claimed to be Bobrisky alleged he had paid N5 million upfront to a Senior Advocate of Nigeria to obtain a Federal Government pardon for charges filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

In the statement released in his Instagram page, Bobrisky insisted he is not the person in the viral audio clip. He said his lawyer will release a statement to this effect.

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Entertainment News

I’ll Cooperate To Fish Out Those Threatening You – VDM Tells Falana

Social media activist, Martins Vincent Otse aka Verydarkman (VDM) has pledged to help Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana fish out individuals threatening to kill his daugher and burn down his office for threatening to sue the social activist.
In a video on Wednesday, VDM dissociated himself from the threat of harming the respected lawyer and his family.
”I want to say I am not aware and I don’t have knowledge of anyone sending threats to Femi Falana or any member of his family. Secondly, I will never be part of anybody sending any threatening messages to anyone in this country.
 
“What I will like to say is this: I am willing to cooperate and work with Uncle Femi to fish out whoever sent the message to him. Let the person come and answer why he or she would send something like that to him. Please, I don’t associate myself with things like that,” VDM said, adding that someone who wanted to worsen the relationship between him and Chief Falana must have been behind it.
He said he doubted if any of his genuine supporters would do such a thing and warned people to support any movement with wisdom.
He added: “I acknowledge one thing- Uncle Femi Falana is a legend for this game. It’s just unfortunate that this thing turns like this. E be like say na devil who just wan scatter scatter everything.”
 
He admonished his supporters to know that Femi Falana is a highly respected defender of the masses and good causes.
Chief Falana had threatened to sue VDM for defamation if he failed to publish a public apology in relevant media for which some individuals sent the threats to him and his daughter.
Falana also on Wednesday reacted to the threat in an interview with Channels by saying: “The only disturbing area in this scenario is a threat to me and one of my two daughters. Some of these guys who I believe are mentally deranged have dared me, saying 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 told my girl, don’t worry I will take it up.”
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Entertainment News

Bobriksy: Lawyer Tackles Verydarkman as He Reveals Legal Implications of His Allegations Against Falana

Public interest and human rights lawyer Inibehe Effiong has reacted to the accusations leveled against renowned human rights lawyer Femi Falana by social media personality Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan.
He explained how Verydarkman is liable of libel.
In a post on X, on Thursday, Inibehe slammed VeryDarkMan’s handling of the issue and highlighted his lack of understanding of the law of libel.
“Saying that you expected Femi Falana to write to Bobrisky and not you, who actually published the defamatory matter, is just a demonstration of your acute lack of knowledge of the law of libel,”Effiong stated.
He emphasised that VeryDarkMan’s personal comments on the matter, combined with his publication of defamatory audio, made him legally liable.
He added, “Even if you want to plead the defence of fair comment in court, your personal and highly prejudicial comments make it improbable for you to prevail. Emotion is one thing; the law is another.”
Effiong further explained that in defamation cases, innuendos are actionable, even without a direct mention of names, if reasonable members of society can deduce who the defamatory remarks refer to.
“If reasonable and right-thinking members of society can deduce from your statement that you were referring to the claimant, and that the claimant’s estimation is lowered on account of your statement, you are liable,” Effiong said.
The case arose after VeryDarkMan posted an audio implicating Falana’s son, Folarin Falana, popularly known as Falz, in a conversation involving Nigerian crossdresser Idris Okuneye, also known as Bobrisky.
In the shared voice note, Bobrisky claimed that, following his conviction and sentencing for the abuse of naira notes in April, his godfather, in collaboration with the Controller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service, arranged for him to serve his six-month sentence in a private apartment.
Bobrisky also allegedly claimed that he had been contacted by the rapper Falz and his father, Falana, who proposed to help him secure a Federal Government pardon for a fee of ₦10 million.
Reacting via a letter issued by Falana’s legal chambers, VeryDarkMan’s post was described as “vicious, wicked, and reckless,” and the law firm demanded a public apology and retraction of the defamatory statements within 24 hours.
“The law does not work that way,” Effiong warned, referring to VeryDarkMan’s suggestion that Falana should have addressed Bobrisky directly.
 
“Publication arises when what is said or written is brought to the notice of the whole world or third parties. That is what gives rise to a cause of action,” he added.
Effiong further cautioned that allegations of bribery and corruption against a lawyer must be backed by substantial evidence.
“If you’re going to accuse a lawyer, or anyone for that matter, of aiding a prisoner to avoid jail time or serve imprisonment outside the custodial centre, you should have solid facts to substantiate it,” he said.
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Entertainment News

Why My Son Falz ’Embarrasses’ Government – Falana Speaks

Femi Falana, SAN, the famous Nigerian human rights lawyer, has talked about his popular son, Falz.

He said the reason why his son and rapper, Folarin Falana, popularly known as Falz, embarrasses the government is because of what he was made to experience while growing up.

Falana, while speaking at the 2nd anniversary of Oluyinka Odumakin Lecture in Lagos on Sunday, said his frequent arrests as a legal practitioner always bothered his son in the past.

He noted that this made Falz raised a question if his father was a criminal getting arrested often.

Falana said this days after the release of a new song by his son, titled, ‘Yakubu,’ featuring fellow rapper, Vector.

He said, “One of these guys one day said, ‘Falana talk to your son; he should stop embarrassing the government’. I said which government? You mean that boy who is an adult? Can I give you his number so you can talk to him? But be careful because when that boy was growing up, I was being arrested from time to time. So, the only language he understood was detention, arrest and the rest of them.

“One day, when that boy was six, he asked his mother, “Our teacher taught us that only criminals were arrested. Is my father a criminal? Why is he always being arrested? And the mother had to say that in Nigeria, under the military, only two sets of people were arrested: Criminals suspects and political suspects. Political suspects are those who are out to expose the criminality of the government. That is what you see going on.”

Falz is one of the activists who regularly hold #EndSARS memorial in honour of those whom they believe lost their lives to police brutality in the country.

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2023 Elections

2023: Nigerians Don’t Know If Elections Will Hold – Falana

Femi Falana, a senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN), has talked about the anticipated elections.

He said there’s no guarantee that Nigeria is prepared for the general election.

Falana stated this while appearing on Arise TV programme on Tuesday.

The scarcity of naira notes following the redesign of he N200, N500, and N1000 notes, coupled with the scarcity of petrol, has led to protests in some parts of the country.

There also concerns whether the presidential and governorship elections on February 25 and March 11, will go on as scheduled.

However, Falana says, “by now, Nigerians should be fully prepared for the election.

“But unfortunately, there is no indication, and people are still saying will the election hold or not.

“Even the armed forces and the NSA spoke about the effect of cash scarcity on counter-insurgency campaigns.

“And for the masses, it is only when you have access to your money that you can be happy and ready for the election,” He maintained.

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