Nigerian rapper and legal practitioner Folarin Falana, better known as Falz, has opened up about an interesting moment from the early days of his career when he was juggling courtroom duties with his growing music career.
Falz revealed that he worked at his father’s law firm while pursuing his passion for music. According to him, the combination was challenging because Nigerian lawyers are not officially permitted to practise law while simultaneously pursuing another profession.
Speaking during an interview with Jermaine, the rapper recalled appearing in court on different occasions as a practising lawyer and described one encounter with a judge who seemingly knew about his activities in the entertainment industry.
Falz explained that during one particular court session, he formally introduced himself as the lawyer representing a plaintiff.
However, the judge appeared to recognise him for something beyond his legal profession. Rather than directly mentioning his music career, the judge reportedly made an indirect remark, asking if Falz was the same person involved in another line of work.
Falz said he acknowledged that he was indeed the person the judge was referring to. The judge then permitted him to proceed with the case.
Recalling the memorable encounter, Falz said:
“There was a day in court I announced my appearance, ‘With profound respect, my Lord, Folarin Falana appearing for the plaintiff’. And the judge said, ‘Council, are you not the one doing something else on the side?’ He said it in a coded way.”
