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Bobrisky, VDM, Falz And Our Very Dark End (2) [OPINION]

Published

2 years ago

October 11, 2024

Tunde Odesola

Luxuriating in a posh apartment when he should be doing time for his crime, Bobrisky got on the phone with a friend, disgorging the content of his innards in a flirty, whimpering and entitled voice.

The Very Important Prisoner coos, “I called my friend. You know, because I can’t use my account, I wanted to send money from my account but they said I’m still under investigation. I cannot withdraw from my account. So, I now called (a) few of my friends. You know Polanco – Elele – that Polanco. He’s my very good friend. So, I called him. He was like, ‘Ah, no o, account wo ni kin n send owo si, account wo ni ki n send owo si’? I gave him my brother’s account, he now sent N8m, ‘pe iye ti awon le sare send ni’sinyi ni yen o’. I was even shocked that he can send that amount of money. He said, ‘Ah, omo gidi ni e, o n se omo be yen; you’re a very nice person’.

“So, I called Demola, Demola in New York, you know he’s my friend too. Demola sent me N1m immediately. Then, I called other people. I can’t start making call (sic) (to everyone), because I don’t know who set me up, so, let me not start calling the wrong people, do you understand? I called the people I trust, so, the money sha complete N15m, they now remove (sic) money laundering charge, they now took me to court for spraying of money.”

Tracing the genesis of his wahala, Bobrisky recalls in the recorded phone call, “The whole thing started from when they gave me Best Female Dress (sic) (award). That’s where the whole thing started from, you know – jealousy, envy, we sha got to court, I sha told them that I’m guilty, that, ‘Ah maybe court will even pity, that o ya pay fine or community service’. Sadly, the court sentenced me.

“So, you know, I was on my way to the prison, then my godfather called me and said, ‘You will not enter that prison, ma worry, let me make arrangement for an apartment close to the prison’; that he’s going to call the (Controller General) (Nigerian Correctional Service), that’s the overall (head) in Nigeria and Abuja, and he (godfather) will talk to them. They sha talk o, before I come back sha, they now took me to one apartment – that I must not come out till I finish my sentence, that the oga said they should come and keep me here, that nobody should know that I’m not there (in prison).

“They said the guy would collect money…N5m. I had to call Elele (Polanco) again, there’s nobody to call, Elele gave me the balance of N2m. I’m supposed to come out in ending of July, next month, 29th, …Bad Guy, his father is a SAN, so, Falz reach (sic) out to me, his father spoke to me, his father said we can apply for pardon, that…my case is federal, that the federal can actually pardon me – that’s the President – that if they pardon me, I can even leave here by next week. Do you understand? That I don’t have to wait till ending of next month. Ok. So, the man started the pardon, he said he want to send it to Minister of Justice. So, Minister of Justice will now send it to the President to approve it, but you know Nigeria, Nigeria with their corruption and everything, they take it back to him, the lawyer said they will collect N10m, that that pardon will clear my name off the record…”

Imagine Bobrisky lamenting corruption!? What a country!

Well, I won’t dwell much on the second audio recording released by VDM because it’s essentially like the first one presented above – the only difference being Bobrisky’s corroboration of the fact that he never stayed inside the Nigerian prison facility.

Hear him, “Truth be told, I don’t want to lie to you, you’re my person; I’m not in prison. I’m around there, they got me an apartment because of my godfather. My godfather was able to tell them that never, I will not smell the prison. Let the world think you’re in there but you will never (get inside the prison). So, we were able to talk to the Deputy Controller in Nigeria, and he (Deputy Controller) said that (everything would go well) if Bob is not forcing anything, if Bob is not saying anything, if Bob is not doing anything – they can put me in a place close to the place (prison), so, I can always come inside (the prison) and see people and welcome my family and nobody needs to know. My godfather got me a new SAN.”

At the deathbed of an elephant, knives of various sizes and blades converge for condolence. Numerous recordings on the Bobrisky saga have sprouted up everywhere, making the task of tracking the emerging issues a helluva job.

Along the line, an audio recording (not from VDM) revealed that the ongoing Bobrisky Prisongate scandal was baked in the oven of vengeance as a young man, who purportedly lives in the US, and whom Bobrisky allegedly owed N4m, was said to be the one who released the audio recordings to VDM. While answering questions when he met a joint committee of the House of Reps in Abuja, VDM confirmed that someone whom Bobrisky owed gave him the recordings.

However, the way VDM is handling his presentation of the recordings to the public shows the gulf of difference between a journalist and a mere blogger. VDM could have hidden behind the petal of ‘Fair Comment’ located within the sepals of the Law of Libel. He could also have claimed he made the revelation in the public interest. But his comments lost the fragrance of fairness when he questioned the sexual orientation of Falz and also impugned the integrity of the iconic human rights crusader and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mr Femi Falana, together with Falz’s, saying, “But all the people that would be mentioned, I don’t care, you understand, I don’t care, and from today, no longer respect for all of you, you understand, because all of una na di same.”

In the same recording, VDM goes magisterial, saying, “Wait, Falz the Bad Guy? I can’t even believe this. Falz De Bad Guy contacted Bobrisky? He contacted his father, Femi Falana, and Femi Falana, his father, spoke to Bobrisky in order to divert justice. And this same Falz, if this story is true o, will have the audacity to come out and say he is fighting against the government – for oppression, that he wants justice, he wants Nigeria to be better, so na like dis you dey carry yourself? I don’t even want to believe that Femi Falana will bring himself down to this level! A whole Femi Falana wey bi Fela lawyer, wey we respect!? Femi Falana will engage himself in something like dis? Wait, wait, wait, what is the relationship between Falz and Bobrisky? Abi Falz sef dey do? Oh, ok. (Bursts into a song) ‘Who are we to crucify the homosexual? Most of una don dey involve from time, everybody is a hypocrite o’ Abi Falz sef dey do?”

VDM made an effort to appear fair to Falana and his son, Falz, by interjecting his narration with ‘if this story is true o’. He also started another video by saying, “Before I go on, everything in this video is ‘allegedly’.”

If VDM was a journalist, he would know that a thousand ‘allegedlys’ or a million ‘ifs’ cannot save his neck from the guillotine of defamation because many people who viewed his posts won’t reckon with ‘allegedly’ or ‘if’ as they would presume Falana and Falz are guilty. The law is clear on this.

Falz, a lawyer, represented by Falana and Falana, the law firm of his father, has embarked, through his lawyer, Taiwo Olawanle, on a move to clear his name of the allegations levelled against him, giving VDM a 24-hour ultimate to retract his statements and apologise even as he refuted the allegations.

Falana, in an interview, denied the allegations by VDM and expressed concern over some ‘mentally deranged’ netizens who threatened to burn down his office and kill his daughter if he dragged VDM to court. He said, “Some of these guys, who I believe are mentally deranged, have dared me, (saying) ‘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. I asked my girl, ‘I will take it up’. I’ve already taken that up because we also need to let these guys know where we are coming from.”

Here’s a piece of unsolicited advice, VDM. When next anyone gives you a story, always take it with a pinch of salt, don’t be overexuberant, seek all the sides to the story and do a holistic presentation. It shouldn’t be Seun Anikulapo-Kuti who should advise you to reach out to Falz. No, you should’ve reached out to Falz and Falana as a point of duty. It would be beneficial if you run your stories through the lenses of a journalist and a lawyer, subsequently. When the Yoruba extol wisdom over strength in the proverb, “Ejó là á kó kó, ká tó kójà,” e get why.

VDM, good you’re a mouthpiece, a drum. But the drum is useless without the hands. I advise you to get some education in public communication. When you do that, you will know to dissociate yourself from your posts. By so doing, you will stay out of trouble and be more effective and believable.

Bro, please, shun overexcitement and the urge to lionise yourself in the eyes of your viewers because some discernable viewers know the stories of the Bobrisky saga were dropped on your laps, it wasn’t sourced. Any other blogger could have relayed the message, too. You also need to shun threats and blackmail. It’s unreasonable to say, “I give you 24 hours…” Giving Bobrisky a deadline to pay up the N4m he owed or risk being blogged was arm-twisting and not in public interest. That means if Bobrisky paid the N4m he owed his creditor, you wouldn’t have exposed him. When you do this, you’re no corruption fighter but a debt collector.

MORE FROM THE AUTHOR: OPINION: The Bile In Oshiomhole’s Heart

In Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart, Eneke the bird says, “Since men have learned to shoot without missing, he has learned to fly without perching.” It’s high time the judiciary strengthened its oversight at the prisons by devising a tactic to check if its judgments are carried out. It’s pointless to make ineffective laws.

We’re all victims! Lions are shot dead after human beings forget to lock the zoo gates and lions kill man. Man in power tramples upon the man in poverty. Man in power, a victim of greed. Victims, victims, victims, we all are.

As for the EFCC and the Nigerian Correctional Service, it’s another soprano in the dirge of shame pervading all the structures of the Nigerian government. Bobrisky mentioned President Bola Tinubu and his Minister of Justice. But there’s no backlash. Rotten heads are not rolling, they’re still on their fat necks.

Abba Kyari, the disgraced police cop, remains wanted in the US for criminal offences but the All Progressives Congress government has continued to shield him. Nothing has been heard of the drug and bribery offences against him in Nigeria. Haba, Kyari! Haba, Federal Government of Shame!

Concluded.

Email: tundeodes2003@yahoo.com

Facebook: @Tunde Odesola

X: @Tunde_Odesola

News

Xenophobic Attacks: Oshiomhole Tells FG To Retaliate Against South African Companies In Nigeria

Published

1 hour ago

May 5, 2026

Editor

Senator Adams Oshiomhole has called on the Federal Government to retaliate against South African businesses operating in Nigeria following the recent attacks on Nigerians in South Africa.

Speaking during plenary on Tuesday, Oshiomhole said the Federal Government should consider revoking the working license of South African owned companies such as MTN and DSTV.

He argued that Nigeria must respond firmly to what he described as persistent hostility against its citizens.

“I am not going to shed tears. If you hit me, I hit you. I think it is appropriate in diplomacy. It is an economic struggle,” Oshiomhole said.

He argued that while some South Africans accuse Nigerians of taking their jobs, Nigerians should return home and take over employment opportunities created by major South African companies operating in the country, including MTN and DSTV.

“When we hit back, the President of South Africa will not only talk but will also go on his knees to recognise that Nigeria cannot be intimidated.

“We will not condone any life being lost. If a crime has been committed under the South African law they have the right to bring any such person to justice, but to kill our people as if we are helpless, we will not allow that,” Oshiomhole added.

DAILY POST reports that several Nigerians in South Africa have reportedly been attacked, and their businesses destroyed, in ongoing xenophobic attacks in the country.

News

IGP Orders Officers Display Name Tag On Uniform, Gives Update On State Police

Published

1 hour ago

May 5, 2026

Editor

The Inspector General of Police, IGP, Tunji Disu, has ordered all police personnel to always have their name tags on their uniforms for easy identification.

Disu disclosed that only police personnel who are undercover are exempted from displaying their name tags.

Speaking on Tuesday, Disu said: “All police officers should have their name tags. All of us on the high table have our names apart from the undercover among us so if you look at all the Commissioners of Police we have our name tags, so it’s not our standard.

News

Court Orders SERAP To Pay DSS Operatives N100m For Defamation

Published

6 hours ago

May 5, 2026

Editor

The High Court of the Federal Capital Territory has ordered a non-governmental organization, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP, to pay N100 million as damaged to two operatives of the Department of the State Services, DSS, for unjustly defaming them in some publications.

The court also ordered SERAP to tender public apologies to the defamed officers,
Sarah John and Gabriel Ogundele, in two national newspapers, two television stations and its website.

Besides, the organization was also ordered to pay the two operatives N1 million as cost of litigation and 10 percent post-judgment interest annually on the judgment sum until it’s fully liquidated.

Justice Yusuf Halilu of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory gave the order on Tuesday while delivering judgment in a N5.5 billion defamation suit instituted against SERAP by the DSS operatives.

The judge found SERAP liable for unjustly defaming the two DSS operatives with allegations that they unlawfully invaded its Abuja office, harassed and intimidated its staff, in September 2024.

In the offending publication on its website and Twitter handle, SERAP alleged that the two operatives unlawfully invaded and occupied its office with sinister motives.

The judge held that the publication was in bad taste especially from an organization established to promote transparency and accountability, as nothing in the publication was found to be truthful.

The DSS staff had listed SERAP as 1st defendant in the suit marked CV/4547/2024. SERAP’s Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, was listed as the 2nd defendant.

In the suit, the claimants – Sarah John and Gabriel Ogundele – accused the two defendants of making false claims that they invaded SERAP’s Abuja office on September 9, 2024..

Counsel to the DSS, Oluwagbemileke Samuel Kehinde, had while adopting his final address in the mater urged the judge to grant all the reliefs sought by his client in the interest of justice.

He admitted that although the names of the two claimants were not mentioned in the defamation materials, they had however established substantial circumstances that they are the ones referred to in the published defamation article by SERAP on its website.

The counsel submitted that all ingredients of defamation have been clearly established and the offending publication referred to the two officials of the secret police.

However, SERAP, through its counsel, Victoria Bassey from Tayo Oyetibo, SAN, law firm, asked the court to dismiss the suit on the ground that the two claimants did not establish that they were the ones referred to in the alleged defamation materials.

She said that SERAP used “DSS officials” in the alleged offending publication, adding that the two claimants must establish that they are the ones referred to before their case can succeed.

Similar arguments were canvassed by Oluwatosin Adefioye who stood for the second defendant, adding that there was no dispute in the September 9, 2024 operation of DSS in SERAP’s office.

He said that since SERAP in the publication did not name any particular person, the claimants must plead special circumstances that they were the ones referred to as the DSS officials.

Besides, he said that there is no organization by name Department of State Services in law, hence, DSS cannot claim being defamed adding that the only entity known to law is National Security Agency.

The claimants had in the suit stated that the alleged false claim by SERAP has negatively impacted on their reputation.

The DSS also stated, in the statement of claim, that, in line with the agency’s practice of engaging with officials of non-governmental organisations operating in the FCT to establish a relationship with their new leadership, it directed the two officials – John and Ogunleye – to visit SERAP’s office and invite them for a familiarization meeting.

The claimants added that in carrying out the directive, John and Ogunleye paid a friendly visit to SERAP’s office at 18 Bamako Street, Wuse Zone 1, Abuja on September 9 and met with one Ruth, who upon being informed about the purpose of the visit, claimed that none of SERAP’s management staff was in the country and advised that a formal letter of invitation be written by the DSS.

John and Ogundele, who claimed that their interactions with Ruth were recorded, said before they immediately exited SERAP’s office, Ruth promised to inform her organisation’s management about the visit and volunteered a phone number – 08160537202.

They said it was surprising that, shortly after their visit, SERAP posted on its X (Twitter) handle – @SERAPNigeria – that officers of the DSS are presently unlawfully occupying its office.

The claimant added, “On the same day, the defendants also published a statement on SERAP’s website, which was widely reported by several media outfits, falsely alleging that some officers from the DSS, described as “a tall, large, dark-skinned woman” and “a slim, dark skinned man,” invaded their Abuja office and interrogated the staff of the first defendant (SERAP).

John and Ogundele stated that “due to the false statements published by the defendants, the DSS has been ridiculed and criticised by international agencies such as the Amnesty International and prominent members of the Nigerian society, such as Femi Falana (SAN)”.

“Due to the false statements published by the defendants, members of the public and the international community formed the opinion that the Federal Government is using the DSS to harass the defendants.”

They added that the defendants’ statements caused harm to their reputation because the staff and management of the DSS have formed the opinion that the claimants did not follow orders and carried out an unsanctioned operation and are therefore, incompetent and unprofessional.

The claimants therefore prayed the court for the following reliefs: “An order directing the defendants to tender an apology to the claimants via the first defendant’s (SERAP’s) website, X (twitter) handle, two national daily newspapers (Punch and Vanguard) and two national news television stations (Arise Television and Channels Television) for falsely accusing the claimants of unlawfully invading the first defendant’s office and interrogating the first defendant’s staff.

“An order directing the defendants to pay the claimants the sum of N5 billion as damages for the libellous statements published about the claimants.

“Interest on the sum of N5b at the rate of 10 percent per annum from the date of judgment until the judgment sum is realised or liquidated.

“An order directing the defendants to pay the claimants the sum of N50 million as costs of this action.”