‘I’ve Never Requested A Kobo For Writing Pardon Letter’ – Falana

Human rights attorney and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, has asserted that his extensive legal practice over the decades has never profited from the misfortunes of others.

In an interview with Sahara TV posted on YouTube on Monday, he elaborated on his unwavering dedication to defending human rights without seeking financial compensation.

“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,” he stated.

Falana highlighted various instances from his 42-year legal career where he has stepped in to address cases of perceived injustice without asking for payment.

He referenced his successful intervention in securing the release of six Nigerians who had been wrongfully detained in the Kirikiri Correctional Centre.

Although these individuals were pardoned by the Thai government in 2017, they remained incarcerated until Falana’s involvement led to their release in 2022.

“I did a letter addressed to the then Minister of Interior….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,” he said.

Falana reiterated that his legal practice is founded on a commitment to justice rather than financial gain. “In the last 42 years of my legal practice, I have never ever demanded for a kobo to write a letter of pardon for anybody,” he affirmed.

Falana also addressed accusations that he sought a pardon for Bobrisky in exchange for ₦10 million, describing such claims as childish and absurd.

He expressed disappointment over these allegations, which he noted had caused distress within his family.

However, he reassured them of his integrity and dedication to his principles, stating, “I told my family that, at the end of the day, I will not disappoint you.”

Naija News recalls that social media influencer, Martins Otse, also known as VeryDarkMan, shared a voice note on social media in which Idris Okuneye, popularly referred to as Bobrisky, claimed that following his conviction and sentencing for misuse of naira notes in April, his godfather, in conjunction with the Controller General of the Nigerian Correctional Service, arranged for him to serve his six-month sentence in a private apartment.

VeryDarkMan, alleged that certain unnamed officers from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) received ₦15 million from Bobrisky to dismiss money laundering charges against him.

Additionally, VeryDarkMan claimed that Falana attempted to secure a presidential pardon for Bobrisky in return for ₦10 million.

In response to the allegations, Falana denied any connection to Bobrisky and issued a 24-hour ultimatum to VeryDarkMan to retract his statements linking him to Bobrisky.