The invitation of social media influencer Martin Vincent Otse, popularly called VeryDarkMan, to the national conference of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, held in Port Harcourt, Rivers state, has generated heated reactions from Nigerians.
Chronicle NG reports that Otse had earlier clarified the reason for his invitation to the conference, saying he was not invited to lecture lawyers on legal matters but to share his experiences.
“There has been a lot of debate about why I was invited to this NBA conference. I’m not here to teach you people law; I’m here to share experience,” he said.
Speaking during the session, VDM expressed concern over insecurity in the country and criticized what he described as inadequate media coverage of killings.
“This is not a topic of ‘May I, my lord?’ because your lords are being kidnapped,” he stated, while recalling the reported abduction of a judge traveling from Sokoto State who, according to him, was kidnapped in Kebbi State on July 26 and released about a week later.
He also chastised media outlets for providing insufficient coverage on security-related attacks and fatalities.
“When the killings happened, our media are now lazy, and they did not really cover these killings and the results of these unknown gunmen,” he stated.
Speaking about the June 13, 2025 attack on Yelwata in Benue State’s Guma Local Government
Area, which was believed to have killed over 200 people and destroyed property worth millions of naira, Otse stated that he has directly witnessed the aftermath of violent attacks.
“I was the first respondent at Yelwata. I was also the first respondent when some women were killed some time ago. I’ve seen blood and seen people burnt alive.
“In Yelwata, it was Fulani that attacked. It was a retaliation because a Fulani boy was killed and these guys came back to attack.”
However, a cross-section of Nigerians berated the NBA for inviting and awarding VeryDarkMan at the national conference in Port Harcourt.
In various comments on social media, some bemoaned that VeryDarkMan ”has a history of cyberbullying, affray, stalking, and brazenly flouting court injunctions” and as such, should not have been invited to the conference.
A Nigerian lawyer, Jerry Chiemeke, condemned the NBA for inviting the social media influencer to the annual NBA conference.
Chiemeke, in his reaction, said, “When I got called to the Nigerian Bar in November 2013, having someone like Very Dark Man on a panel at the annual NBA Conference wasn’t something I would have ever envisaged.
”Who should we have in next year’s lineup, Peller? Saida Boj? Geh-Geh?
“I mean, we should ‘expand our horizon,’ right?
“I’m not being classist, I promise, and as someone well established in Africa’s media space, I understand the need for diverse perspectives more than anyone else.
However, the Gwagalada Johnny Bravo has a checkered history of cyberbullying, affray, stalking, and brazenly flouting court injunctions.
“He’s no ‘activist,’ and even if we wanted to accommodate ‘vigilantes’ or ‘civic advocates,’ I can name 20 people who’d have been more fitting.
”Why would you extend a banquet invite to someone who constantly spits in your face? Is this what the Bar has become?
”We have hit the nadir.”
Sharing similar sentiments, Ossai Ovie Success, a social media aide to the Delta State governor, berated the NBA for inviting VeryDarkMan to the conference, who he alleged sells his nude pictures on social media.
Ossai said, “People who spent money and years in school, went to law school, sat for and passed bar exams, got called to the bar, and finally started working.
”Then they were taxed; they paid money in this hard economy to come for their conference and receive more knowledge from experienced people.
“Suddenly, they arrived at the venue and discovered that the person paid to speak to them is a guy that sold penises on the internet.
“They should clap, abi? I am disappointed.”
Buttressing Ossai’s claims, another social media user, Tony Jnr Obuh, mentioned that “this Gwagwalada Johnny Bravo sells himself to his fellow men, sells his nudes, and provokingly sends nudes to people’s wives and collected millions from Nigerians with his NGO without clear dissipation of funds!?”
Berating the legal body, he added, “So the NBA invited VDM to make serious allegations against our security agencies without proof?” The very thing the NBA / court of law doesn’t tolerate. Allegations without evidence! This is another level of olodo uprising.”
In his reaction, Sammy Grace said, “With all due respect and disrespect, our government has failed, not just us but even failed their own future. Watching the NBA, whatever, I’m just like, nothing new was discussed, no new ideas, no reasonable conversation and plans, and no drastic measures as to how to better Nigeria.
“The major purpose why a controversial person was invited was just to make this year’s NBA conference a trend, nothing more. To make it worse, VDM was asked about insecurity, leaving Harrison Gwamnishu and @D English Alhaji aside, only for the young, controversial internet mad man to start talking about cows.
“Talk about insecurity; you’re talking about cows. The government should tell cows to stay inside the house.
“You’re not even talking about the accidents cows cause on the road you’re talking about; how each cow is sold for two million and went further to do a calculation of how 10 cows is 2 billion and after all this, left and right awards were given to him for making the NBA of this year trend.”
For another social media user simply identified as Dillionaire, he described VDM’s invitation to the conference as an ”insult” to lawyers in the country.
”The NBA inviting VDM to come speak before learned men and women is an absolute insult to everyone that has worked so hard to wear the honorable wig,” he said.
Despite their assertions, a cross-section of Nigerians shared divergent opinions. They applauded the NBA for inviting the activist to the conference.
For Barr Omega Elisha, he applauded VDM’s involvement in visiting and soliciting for help for victims of insurgencies.
He said, “I honestly don’t see anything wrong with VDM appearing at the NBA Annual General Conference to speak on ‘Known Gunmen’ and insecurity.
”Like his style or not, the man has first-hand field experience. He’s been to conflict-affected communities, spoken directly with residents, and documented situations on the ground—sometimes when very little else was publicly known.
”Yelwata is a good example. After the June 2025 massacre, he went there and documented what he saw. He later said the then-Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, summoned him and personally asked for details of what he’d observed and gathered from people in the area—this has been reported by multiple Nigerian media outlets.
”The NBA conference isn’t only for lawyers. It can also be a platform for people with practical, professional, or field experience to speak into issues affecting society.
”VDM may well bring information and perspectives to that panel that some officials, even some security agencies, haven’t directly encountered. Naturally, whatever he presents should be scrutinized and verified — that’s the whole point of a panel discussion.
”You don’t have to like a person’s personality or methods to admit they might have something useful to add.
”And on something as serious as insecurity in Nigeria, I’d rather hear from every credible source with something to contribute than shut someone out just because we don’t like them.”
Emmanuel Joseph mentioned that “the NBA has been at the front of justice for a long time. If they decide there’s someone whose interest is worth attention, it’s not supposed to bother you. When you have a matchmaking conference, you can also choose whom to invite.”
For Oluwalade Joshua, he claimed, ”Having capacity in whatever you do may not be acquired in four walls of a classroom. There are many instructors at Harvard without degree certificates, but they have calved a niche for themselves in their endeavor. The world is dynamic; things have really changed. Expand your mindset.”
Below are more reactions in support of VeryDarkMan’s invitation to the NBA conference.
Billions Edem, ”Maybe grace has found him. The NBA knows what they are doing. He has handled some cases with the wisdom God gave him.”
Bonny Nko, ”He has achieved what so many of you have not been able to achieve all through your career. Stop the hate and appreciate those who have done much more than you. ”
Paul Martins, ”VDM has contributed immensely to the rebuilding of a sane Nigeria; in fact, more than I know of the entire Nigerian justice system of late.”
Emie Mba, ”I know there is a saying that goes like this ‘If a child washes his hands well, he will dine with kings.’
”Before you start comparing, remember that most of us wrote WAEC at SS1 or 2, meaning we had to meet up with seniors to do so. Does his presence make the lawyers less of who they are or their office? No.
“Even if it is you who speaks greatly and it is time for the world to hear you, you will still be called on and the world will watch.”
Nkereuwem Assam: “VDM worked so hard to get there. His impacts speak volumes; his integrity is second to none, one of its kind in a century. From streets and trenches to a guest in an NBA conference. If you’re a man with integrity, keep it up; don’t compromise. One day your star will shine for the world to see.”
Mills Orlu-orlu, ”Law is fact and law. Lawyers know the law and Clients know the fact. You can not dispute the fact that VDM knows the facts of the issues bedeviling this country.
“Pay close attention to the topic he has been invited to discuss and listen to what he knows that will shock you so you can apply your knowledge of the law and proffer a lasting solution for a serious-minded policymaker, which we pray to have one day.”
Happy Akande, “Experience has its place in all settings; he who has been to several war fronts or seen different battles doesn’t need a certificate to prove it.
”He was in Benue when several were slaughtered like birds. He was in Maiduguri during the blast.
”He has been to a couple of crime scenes across the country. He doesn’t have to be a lawyer or judge to speak on insecurity or security issues; he has earned the qualification by experience. More qualified than some in legal regalia.”
