Social media influencer Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, has reacted to the criticism by human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria Femi Falana of his invitation to speak at the Nigerian Bar Association conference.
In a video posted on his social media profile on Friday, Otse responded to Falana’s remarks that the NBA should not allow “somebody from nowhere” to talk on specialized matters such as national security.
According to Otse, Falana’s words helped him understand why some people were opposed to his invitation to the conference.
Otse described the situation as “classism,” claiming that his invitation was questioned because of his background and status in comparison to those attending the conference.
“The problem these people have is that the son of a nobody was invited to come and speak where elites are seated,” he said.
He stated that he was particularly disappointed by Falana’s reason for questioning his invitation, arguing that his experience of insecurity qualified him to contribute to discussions on the subject.
“Lately in the last few years, I have been present where all these things have happened. I have seen things that a lot of security experts have not seen. This is not about a book. It’s not about a book. It’s about experience,” he said.
Falana has previously criticized the NBA’s decision to invite VeryDarkMan to speak at its annual conference, claiming that anyone chosen to address lawyers on specialized topics should have significant competence or experience in those sectors.
In response to the criticism, Otse stated that security was a concern for everyone, particularly ordinary Nigerians who were vulnerable to insecurity.
“Security is for everybody. Security is not for some set of people. And this has been the problem,” he said.
The activist stated that his presence at the conference was aimed at drawing attention to the experiences of ordinary Nigerians affected by insecurity.
“I spoke on behalf of the poor masses. I spoke on behalf of the poor people. I spoke on behalf of the people that don’t have a voice,” he said.
VeryDarkMan had not expected Falana to take the position he expressed on his invitation.
“I wasn’t expecting this angle from Femi Falana SAN, but well, it is what it is,” he said.
The reaction came after Otse spoke at the NBA’s 66th annual general conference in Port Harcourt, when he engaged in a discussion about insecurity.
Falana said in an interview with Channels Television on Thursday that the NBA’s conferences had previously featured persons whose experience might give lawyers relevant information on specific topics.
He emphasized that debates about national security should include persons who have direct knowledge of or expertise with the country’s security architecture, while also recognizing the necessity of hearing from the public on matters affecting justice delivery.
