Nigerian crossdresser and social media personality, Idris Okuneye, popularly known as Bobrisky, has taken legal action against Martins Vincent Otse, commonly known as VeryDarkMan, accusing him of defamation.
The lawsuit, which demands ₦1 billion in damages, stems from an audio clip that Bobrisky claims is a fabricated recording created using artificial intelligence (AI).
In the viral audio clip shared by VeryDarkMan, Bobrisky is allegedly heard stating that officials from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) extorted ₦15 million from him in exchange for dropping money laundering charges.
Bobrisky, however, has vehemently denied the authenticity of the recording, calling it an AI-generated fabrication intended to tarnish his reputation.
In a formal letter issued on Sunday by his legal representatives, R.T. Omuvwie & Co., Bobrisky accused VeryDarkMan of using his name and image to gain social media attention. The letter states that the viral audio, along with accompanying commentary, has caused significant harm to Bobrisky’s public image, brand, and personal life.
The letter demands that VeryDarkMan immediately retract the AI-generated audio and all defamatory statements, along with issuing a public apology.
The apology is expected to be published in two national newspapers and across all of VeryDarkMan’s social media platforms. Additionally, Bobrisky is seeking a written commitment from VeryDarkMan to cease any further defamatory publications and is demanding ₦1 billion in damages.
Failure to comply with these demands within 24 hours, Bobrisky’s legal team warns, will lead to further legal action.
The letter stated, “That in recent times you alleged our client in one of your trending videos on various social media platforms that various DIGs of the Nigeria Police force, lawmakers, senators and politicians generally were in the habit of having sexual intercourse with our client wherein you are yet to provide proof of same till date.
“That you continued to make reckless and unfounded statement including hearsay statement that you cannot prove against our client, not minding his mental health and his general well-being, including his right to privacy and right to freedom of thought, right to life and other constitutional fundamental rights of our client.
“That one will think that after such attempts against our client that you would exercise some level of caution or restrain, considering the safety and wellbeing of our client but your goals are personal and self-uplifting for you and your backers, hence you have made it a life goal task to fulfil it by all means notwithstanding its negative effect on our client and other persons who may be caught in your unguided attacks.
“That it has come to the attention of our client that you recently published an Artificial intelligence-generated audio call, claiming that same was between an unnamed individual and our client, for the record our client never had any audio conversation with this fellow who you claim to represent and that your act of defamation and blackmail should be withdrawn against our client within 24 hours of the service of this letter of demand via social media platforms.”
Bobrisky’s legal team has made it clear that if these conditions are not met within the given time frame, they will escalate the matter to court.
