The Nigerian Human Rights Community (NIHRCO) has called on President Bola Tinubu to take decisive action in response to recent death threats against Folakemi, the daughter of prominent human rights lawyer Femi Falana.
The group emphasized that any attack on Falana represents an assault on Nigeria’s civil rights movement, describing him as a “storming icon” in the fight for human rights in the country.
In a statement released on Thursday, October 10, signed by NIHRCO official Taiwo Adeleye, the organization condemned the threats as a “historical challenge” for Nigeria. They urged President Tinubu to take leadership in identifying those responsible for these threats and ensuring their accountability.
This appeal follows a series of allegations and legal disputes involving Femi Falana, his son Falz, and popular crossdresser Idris Okuneye, known as Bobrisky. Recently, social media influencer Martins Otse, also known as VeryDarkMan, shared a recording claiming that Falana had demanded N10 million in exchange for securing a presidential pardon for Bobrisky. Otse later issued an apology, clarifying that he did not believe Falana was involved in any bribery.
In their statement, NIHRCO reaffirmed their support for Falana, highlighting the threats made against his daughter by unidentified individuals.
“Mr. Falana had reported that one of his daughters received death threats from anonymous person(s) warning that she would be harmed if he pursued legal action against Mr. Martins Otse,” the statement read.
The group noted that the sender had used a cellphone, which can be traced through Nigeria’s National Identification Number (NIN) registration system, suggesting that identifying the culprits should not be difficult.
The NIHRCO urged the public to remain cautious of “common criminals and rogues” masquerading as defenders of the vulnerable, asserting that many are professional blackmailers operating as state agents. They emphasized that any attack on Femi Falana or his family is an attack on the civil rights movement in Nigeria.
“This is a critical moment for President Tinubu. He must resolve this challenge and uncover those responsible for the threats. Nigerians deserve to know the identities of the individuals behind this alarming message,” the statement concluded.
As the situation unfolds, the eyes of the nation remain on the government to act swiftly in protecting its citizens and upholding the principles of justice and human rights.
