Folarin Falana, the rapper better known as Falz, has finally spoken out about the ongoing legal battle between him and activist VeryDarkMan.
The controversy began when VeryDarkMan shared a purported audio in which crossdresser Bobrisky claimed Falz and Femi Falana, his father who is a human rights lawyer, contacted her while she was serving a six-month sentence for naira abuse.
In the recording, the crossdresser alleged that Falz and his father “tried to get me a presidential pardon in exchange for N10 million”.
Bobrisky later described the viral recording as “fake” and threatened to sue VeryDarkMan for alleged defamation.
Falana and Falz demanded a public apology and retraction of the alleged defamatory statements. An Ikeja high court also ordered VerDarkMan to desist from circulating defamatory comments about Falz and Falana.
During a recent interview on the Afrobeats podcast, Falz revealed that he spoke to VeryDarkMan who dared him to file litigation.
The rapper said he attempted to initiate a reasonable conversation with the activist but was met with defensiveness.
Falz condemned the defamatory claims as “horrible” and emphasized that VeryDarkMan lacks proof for his allegations.
He questioned whether the court litigation was an attempt by the activist to gain “heroic status”.
“This guy was instantly defensive from the beginning; I’m like bro, try and listen,” Falz said.
“What are you instantly fighting about? And he said to me, without mincing words, ‘shebi you’re a lawyer; go to court’.
“I’ll have you know that there’s a criminal angle to defamation, and I chose not to go that way. He could have very well been arrested. What you’ve posted is a load of bollocks, absolutely false and I need you to take it down and offer an apology within a certain amount of time and what did he do? Nothing.
“… I do not know if it portrays him as a hero. He did not apologise to me. People are trying to peddle me as an oppressor.”
The rapper said he never had issues with the activist until he mentioned Falana’s name.
“He trampled on every single thing my father stood for, sticking out his neck for the oppressed,” he said.
“… so if you say you want to find trouble, trouble is my work; it’s my work. If you say that’s what you’re looking for, let’s go.”
By Pelumi Bolawa @ The Cable
