Prominent human rights activist and lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), has declared that he has never demanded “a kobo to write a letter of pardon for anybody” in his 42 years of legal practice.
Speaking in an interview with Sahara TV, Falana disclosed that he and his family members had received threats to life over the controversy surrounding claims by a social media influencer, Martins Vincent Otse, also known as VeryDarkMan, on the prison term of crossdresser, Okuneye Idris, A.K.A Bobrisky.
VeryDarkMan had alleged in a recent video that Falana attempted to secure Bobrisky’s release from prison following the crossdresser’s conviction by the court in April.
Falana, in the interview, said he had been warned by some elements not to approach the court, describing those behind the threats as “mentally deranged.”
Over the years, as a prominent human rights activist and lawyer, Falana has a history of advocating for justice and defending the rights of marginalized individuals and communities.
He continued, “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.”
The lawyer said that despite the threats and allegations, he would remain an advocate for human rights, and would continue to use his platform to assist more persons without seeking anything in return.
He said, “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.”
The legal luminary cited multiple instances from his 42-year legal career where he intervened in cases of alleged injustice without charging a fee.
He said, “I did a letter addressed to the then Minister of Interior, Mr Rauf 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 a kobo to write a letter of pardon for anybody,” he said.
He founded Falana & Falana Chambers, a law firm specializing in criminal and human rights laws, and civil litigation.
