Controversial activist Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, has denied accusations of defaming prominent human rights lawyer Femi Falana and his son, rapper Falz.

The accusations stem from allegations that the two played a role in securing a favorable outcome for the popular cross-dresser Idris Okuneye, also known as Bobrisky, during his recent legal troubles.

Falana and Falz issued a 24-hour ultimatum to VeryDarkMan, demanding that he retract his statements and apologize.

They claimed that he falsely accused them of using their influence to help Bobrisky avoid serious consequences for his crimes.

Bobrisky had been sentenced to three months in prison after pleading guilty to naira mutilation following his arrest by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). He was released on August 5, 2024.

The controversy began on September 24, 2024, when VeryDarkMan shared a leaked audio recording on social media, purportedly of Bobrisky.

In the recording, Bobrisky alleged that Falz and his father had intervened to help him escape charges of money laundering.

Following the leak, Falana and Falz categorically denied any involvement in the matter and demanded a public apology from VeryDarkMan, along with a retraction of the statements across all platforms.

In response to the ultimatum, VeryDarkMan released a video on his social media channels, clarifying his position.

He stated that he had no intention of defaming either Falana or Falz, emphasizing his respect for the senior lawyer’s longstanding advocacy for human rights and social justice.

“I never defamed Uncle Femi Falana, and I would never do so.

I hold him in high regard, not just because of his status as a Senior Advocate of Nigeria but because of his dedication to representing people like me who speak out against societal injustices and the misuse of power,” he said.

VeryDarkMan explained that his comments were solely a reaction to Bobrisky’s leaked call, where the cross-dresser alleged that Falz had connected him with Falana in exchange for a sum of N10 million.

He further stated that while he could have edited out the part of the recording that mentioned Falz, he chose not to, believing that a thorough investigation was needed to clarify the matter.

He concluded by saying that he did not believe Falana would be involved in such a situation and would be deeply disappointed if proven otherwise.

The incident has sparked widespread debate on social media, with many questioning the ethics of leaking private conversations and the broader implications for public figures who are often the subjects of unverified claims.