Verydarkman

Social media activist Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), has apologised to Nigeria’s security and enforcement agencies over comments he made at the 66th Annual General Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

The activist tendered the apology in a video posted on his Facebook page on Friday after reflecting on his remarks during a panel session at the conference.

During the session, VDM referred to personnel of the Nigerian military, police, Nigeria Immigration Service and Nigeria Customs Service as “unknown gunmen.”

He also alleged that some police officers stationed at checkpoints provide information about travellers to kidnappers and terrorists. The police subsequently invited him to present evidence to support the allegation.

In his latest video, however, VDM admitted that his remarks were unfair to many security personnel, particularly those who risk their lives to protect Nigerians.

“I don’t think I was fair to a lot of people, particularly the speech where I said that the military are the unknown gunmen, the police are the unknown gunmen, you know, the immigration, the customs.

“I know exactly what I was trying to say because, I mean, I have evidence to back up my claim, but I wasn’t fair to a lot of people in that speech,” he said.

He said his comments were especially unfair to soldiers deployed to areas affected by Boko Haram insurgency.

“That speech was not fair, especially to the soldiers that are in the bushes fighting Boko Haram to protect our lands, to protect our lives, and to protect our families.

“I don’t think it’s fair to say they are also the unknown gunmen, to be very honest, because these people have laid down their lives,” he said.

According to the activist, his intention was to draw attention to alleged corruption, information leaks and sabotage by some individuals within the security agencies, rather than accuse every officer of wrongdoing.

“My speech was not to discourage you. My speech was entirely to talk about the bad eggs in our security operative, our security forces, is to put attention on the bad eggs, so that the leaders in these security settings will look inward and to see that sometimes information are being leaked and their own people are sabotaging them,” he said.

VDM acknowledged that although he stood by the concerns raised in his speech, the manner in which he presented them amounted to an unfair generalisation.

“But by passing that speech, like I said, it seems like I was generalising and it’s not fair to the fallen soldiers,” he said.

He added: “(There’s) a lot of corrupt generals, a lot of high-ranking police officers are corrupt, a lot of junior officers are corrupt, a lot of them are there.

“But there’s still a lot of more good people, a lot of more good people, and I know a lot of them.”

Apology To Defence Chief

VDM also directed a specific apology to the Chief of Defence Staff and the leadership of the country’s security agencies.

“So I will go further to say to the Chief of Defence Staff. Sir, I really want to apologise for that speech, and I don’t want to discourage your boys.

“Please extend my apologies to your boys, to the ones that are in the bush protecting our lands,” he said.

The activist said he was concerned that soldiers and other security personnel who were genuinely committed to protecting the country could feel discouraged after watching his comments from the NBA conference.

He also disclosed that he has maintained contact with the police and sometimes passes information to officers.

“Me and the police, we work steadily. I give, sometimes I share police information, tell them, ‘Oh, this is what is happening here, please, can you intercept,” he said.

He appealed to security personnel who are committed to protecting Nigerians not to be discouraged by his comments.

“We’re there behind you now, and we’ll always support you. You know, and we are part of this thing, security is for all of us,” he said.

Warning To ‘Bad Eggs’

Despite his apology, VDM maintained his criticism of security personnel whom he accused of undermining their colleagues through sabotage, arms supply and the leakage of information to terrorists.

“But then again, to the bad eggs, your days are numbered. To all of you in the military that are sabotaging and causing deaths to your officers, your days are numbered,” he stated.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Social media activist Martins Vincent Otse, better known as VeryDarkMan, has criticised the legal profession in Nigeria after his participation at the Nigerian Bar Association’s 66th Annual General Conference attracted backlash from some lawyers.

VeryDarkMan was invited to speak during a panel session on insecurity at the conference in Port Harcourt, where he shared his perspective on the security challenges confronting Nigerians.

His appearance at the event drew criticism from some members of the legal profession, who questioned the decision to invite him to the gathering.

In a video shared on social media on Friday, the activist defended his participation and said his presence at the conference was aimed at representing Nigerians who lack a voice.

“I spoke on behalf of the poor people. I spoke on behalf of the people that don’t have a voice,” he said.

He also suggested that his presence among members of the legal profession was a source of discomfort for some of his critics.

“Because a son of nobody was seen in your midst,” he added.

VeryDarkMan then challenged the view that the legal profession remains noble, while criticising those who condemned his participation at the NBA conference.

“This bunch of clowns are telling me that law is a noble profession,” he said.

“Well, lately, law has not been a noble profession. I’m sorry to say. I’m not even sorry to say. It is what it is.”

The activist further claimed that a significant number of lawyers in Nigeria either do not practise or struggle to secure employment.

“But even you, some of you who are not even practising. Mind you, law is one of the most broke professions we have in the country,” he said.

“Because we never talk about it. Law is one of the most broke professions. One of the poorest professions in this country is law.”

He also questioned the number of lawyers who have jobs and those who actively practise in court.

“How many lawyers are there? How many lawyers have jobs? How many lawyers actually go to court? Ask yourself that.”

VeryDarkMan also criticised the number of people who graduate from law school each year despite what he described as inadequate opportunities within the profession.

“And every year, they say they have people graduating from law school. Four thousand have graduated from law school, only to end up selling bedsheets,” he added.

His comments followed the controversy over his invitation to the NBA’s annual conference, where he took part in discussions on insecurity and issues affecting ordinary Nigerians.

The activist’s presence at the event had generated mixed reactions from lawyers and members of the public, with some questioning the decision to include him in the conference programme.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Detained Nigerian cryptocurrency entrepreneur, Linus Williams Ifejirika, widely known as B-Lord, has rejected claims that he reached out to plead with social media activist Martins Vincent Otse, also known as VeryDarkMan, while in custody.

B-Lord is currently held at the Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja after his arraignment before a Federal High Court over allegations that include criminal conspiracy, impersonation, and the unauthorised use of VeryDarkMan’s identity.

His position was made public by a delegation that visited him in detention on the instruction of human rights activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore.

In a video seen on Monday, members of the delegation stated that the businessman remained firm despite his situation. They said he also expressed appreciation to Nigerians who have supported him.

Speaking after the visit, a member of the delegation, AK Musa Esq., said, “We just concluded a visit to Mr. Linus Williams, aka B-Lord. Our visit was upon the mandate of Mr. Omoyele Sowore in solidarity with B-Lord concerning the ongoing incarceration.

“We met him in very high spirits. He’s very comforted, very resolute and gallant in his convictions. And he has extended his appreciation to all Nigerians who have stood with him in solidarity. He is very grateful to everybody who has raised their voice on this matter.”

Another member of the team, Rock Yusuf, addressed reports that B-Lord had attempted reconciliation with VeryDarkMan. He dismissed the claims and clarified B-Lord’s stance.

“And for the record, B-Lord said he did not send anybody to go and beg the complainant, which is VeryDarkMan,” Yusuf said. “He said anybody who went to beg VeryDarkMan, they are on their own.

“That he wants to see this matter to the logical conclusion,” Yusuf added.

The case followed a petition filed by VeryDarkMan, who accused B-Lord of using his name and image without permission to promote business activities.

According to the activist, the entrepreneur allegedly produced documents and promotional materials bearing his identity and claimed an endorsement deal valued at hundreds of millions of naira that did not exist.

B-Lord has pleaded not guilty to the charges. The court ordered that he be remanded in custody, with the next hearing scheduled for April 27, 2026.

Earlier, Sowore criticised the detention. He warned against what he described as the misuse of the legal system to suppress citizens. He also pledged to work towards the discontinuation of the case and B-Lord’s release.

Despite the controversy, B-Lord’s latest position indicates that he intends to challenge the allegations in court rather than seek an out-of-court settlement.