Falz issues 24-hour ultimatum to VeryDarkMan
Nigerian rapper and activist, Falz, has issued a 24-hour ultimatum to popular social media personality, VeryDarkMan, demanding a retraction of defamatory statements made against him. The ultimatum comes after VeryDarkMan claimed in a viral audio that Falz and his father, prominent human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN), played a role in helping controversial figure Bobrisky evade money laundering charges.
The controversy began on September 24, 2024, when VeryDarkMan released an audio clip in which Bobrisky alleged that officers of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) accepted ₦15 million to drop charges of money laundering against him. According to Bobrisky, an unnamed Senior Advocate of Nigeria and his son were instrumental in facilitating the dismissal of the charges, ultimately keeping him out of prison.
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VeryDarkMan further insinuated that the SAN in question was Femi Falana and that Falz, his son, was also involved in the situation. In his statement, he said, “In everything and everyone that is mentioned here, I will be disappointed if truly FALZ and his father are involved in this whole Bobrisky issue.” This comment ignited widespread reactions across social media, quickly making Falz a trending topic as speculations about his alleged involvement grew.
However, Falz swiftly responded by sharing a legal notice addressed to VeryDarkMan via his Instagram on September 25, 2024. The notice, signed by Falz’s legal representatives, condemned the defamatory statements as “vicious, wicked, and reckless,” with the intent to damage his reputation. The rapper’s legal team emphasized that the allegations were baseless and a direct attack on his character and that of his father.
The legal document read in part: “The entire publication was a vicious, wicked, and reckless ploy to impugn the reputation of our client and lower him in the estimation of right-thinking members of the public.” The notice then demanded that VeryDarkMan issue an immediate retraction of his statements and an apology, to be published across all the platforms on which the defamatory claims were disseminated.
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The ultimatum also carried a warning: “Be advised that if we do not receive your formal retraction and apology as demanded within 24 hours of the receipt hereof, we shall proceed with our client’s instructions to seek appropriate legal remedies, including monetary damages, against you for your incendiary publication and dissemination of defamatory statements.”
As the clock ticks on the 24-hour deadline, social media remains abuzz with reactions, many awaiting to see if VeryDarkMan will retract his statements or face possible legal action from Falz. The case underscores the growing legal tensions between public figures and influencers in Nigeria’s increasingly active digital space, where misinformation and unverified claims can rapidly spiral into controversies.
Falz, known for his activism and music that often tackles socio-political issues, has built a reputation as a defender of human rights, making the allegations particularly damaging to his public image. His father, Femi Falana, is a well-respected Senior Advocate of Nigeria with decades of legal and advocacy work. Both have been vocal critics of injustice and corruption, further fueling the seriousness of the accusations levied against them.
The outcome of this situation could set a precedent for how defamatory statements on social media are handled in Nigeria’s legal landscape.
