‘Your Lords Are Being Kidnapped’: VeryDarkMan Tells NBA Conference in Explosive Speech

Social media influencer addresses insecurity at legal gathering, triggers sharp divide among Nigerians over elite institutions and public platforms.

The invitation of social media influencer Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), to the 2026 Annual General Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, has ignited a fierce national debate, exposing deep divisions over who deserves a platform at Nigeria’s premier legal gathering. Otse appeared as a panellist on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, during a session focused on insecurity and the experiences of victims of violence, and was subsequently presented with a special award by the NBA—a recognition that has further polarised public opinion.

Addressing the controversy head-on, Otse explained that his invitation was not to lecture lawyers on legal matters but to share his firsthand experiences with insecurity across Nigeria. He told the gathering that there had been a lot of debate about why he was invited to the NBA conference, clarifying that he was not there to teach lawyers law but to share experience. He argued that insecurity had become a reality that even members of the legal profession could no longer ignore. Referring to the abduction of judges, the activist told the lawyers that this was not a topic of “may I, my lord” because their lords were being kidnapped. To substantiate his point, Otse cited the reported abduction of a judge travelling from Sokoto State, who he said was kidnapped in Kebbi on July 26 and spent about a week in captivity before regaining freedom.

During his session, Otse criticised what he described as inadequate media coverage of violent attacks. He stated that when the killings happened, the media had become lazy and did not really cover these killings and the results of these unknown gunmen. He told the conference that his perspective on insecurity came from direct exposure to the scenes of several attacks, describing witnessing the aftermath of a Sallah Day bombing in Borno State, alongside incidents linked to the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital and a post office. He recounted being the first respondent at Yelwata and also the first respondent when some women were killed some time ago, adding that he had seen blood and seen people burnt alive. On the June 13, 2025, attack on Yelwata in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State, which allegedly left more than 200 people dead and property worth millions destroyed, Otse claimed it was a retaliatory attack, stating that it was Fulani that attacked and that it was a retaliation because a Fulani boy was killed and these guys came back to attack. A prosecution witness in Federal High Court proceedings had previously testified that some disgruntled Fulani chiefs sponsored over 200 armed men to carry out the attack.

READ ALSO:

• Dangote Refinery drives sevenfold surge in Nigeria’s petroleum product exports
• Dangote Raises Petrol to N1,200/Litre Despite Crude Price Decline – Second Hike in Five Days
• Atiku Disowns Aide, Vows to Restore Subsidy — But With a Crucial Difference

Otse also linked insecurity to political interests, alleging that stolen public funds are invested in cattle and that security officials profit from the ongoing crisis through increased funding. He accused police and security agencies of contributing to kidnapping through information allegedly obtained at checkpoints, citing the Abuja-Lokoja highway where numerous checkpoints have failed to prevent abductions. He alleged that everybody knows who is rich, who is poor, and everybody knows the people that belong to the middle class, claiming that information from routine vehicle checks could subsequently be passed to criminals. He told lawyers that he thought the root of insecurity was politics, arguing that the people who benefit from it are the ones who cause it: the government, the police, and the military men, while the people are the sacrificial lamb.

After his speech, the NBA presented Otse with a recognition award. The moderator said on behalf of the association’s president that the award was presented to him for being there with them and sharing his own experience, but added a caution that when he is attacked, he should not kill but report to the police. The recognition prompted the moderator to invite Otse and other officials for a photograph. The presentation came despite a military representative cautioning Otse against making claims he could not prove during his speech.

The recognition has attracted significant public attention, with supporters celebrating the award while critics questioned the NBA’s decision to honour the outspoken activist. Lawyer Jerry Chiemeke condemned the NBA’s decision, saying that when he got called to the Nigerian Bar in November 2013, having someone like Very Dark Man on a panel at the annual NBA Conference was not something he would have ever envisaged. He questioned who should be in next year’s lineup, mentioning Peller, Saida Boj, and Geh-Geh. Chiemeke added that the Gwagalada Johnny Bravo has a checkered history of cyberbullying, affray, stalking, and brazenly flouting court injunctions. He argued that Otse is no activist, and even if they wanted to accommodate vigilantes or civic advocates, he could name 20 people who would have been more fitting. He questioned why the NBA would extend a banquet invite to someone who constantly spits in its face, asking whether this was what the Bar had become and declaring that they had hit the nadir.

READ ALSO:

• Poco Lee to face UK court September 15 over alleged rape and assault charges
• Nigerian Journalism Mourns: Eagle Online Publisher Dotun Oladipo Dies Suddenly at 56
• Trump orders US flags lowered nationwide for one week to honour Dolly Parton

Ossai Ovie Success, a social media aide to the Delta State governor, berated the NBA for inviting Otse, saying that 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 were then taxed and paid money in this hard economy to come for their conference and receive more knowledge from experienced people. He said that 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, expressing his disappointment. The criticism has also referenced the NBA’s previous decision to invite singer Portable to perform at an annual conference, which was later reversed after public outrage. One commentator summed up the criticism by stating that the NBA inviting VeryDarkMan to sit on a security panel with the Inspector General of Police is the ultimate corporate surrender, arguing that thousands of lawyers paid massive registration fees to debate the rule of law while the leadership relies on an untrained internet activist to drive actual public accountability.

However, many Nigerians have rallied behind Otse, arguing that his views on insecurity reflect the reality of security for most Nigerians and that his influence commands respect beyond online criticism. One supporter wrote that they watched some of the video clips and agreed and were pleased for inviting him, adding that any lawyer that does not like that invitation does not know what he or she studied in school, explaining that after school of law, one needs to learn about real life and that he was invited to talk about real life experiences. Another supporter added that hope those criticising have received their own award or were they not even qualified to go on the podium, stating that this is VDM receiving award from people who matter and that everyone else crying online can continue, calling the haters toothless dogs who cannot bite. Another tweeted that the online hate is pure noise and that VDM’s real-world influence is unmatched, pointing out that seeing hundreds of NBA lawyers waiting in line just to get a photo with VeryDarkMan says everything. Others pointed out that lawyers at the venue crowded around Otse for photographs after his speech, with some channelling “VDM”.

A video circulating on social media captured the striking moment when lawyers crowded around Otse for photographs as he left the venue. The scene prompted further commentary about the disconnect between online criticism and in-person reception. One observer captured this sentiment by noting that the same people who spent years telling us pedigree is everything are now taking pictures with the man they called unserious, concluding that Nigeria will humble you. Another wrote about the country, asking what a country, and noting that just go viral and see yourself speak on top Nigerian platforms, observing that one does not even need to be an MSc or even BSc holder to speak on professional platforms, and that just getting money or going viral means Nigeria will always accommodate you.

The controversy has reopened questions about the NBA’s judgment and the role of non-traditional voices in elite institutional spaces. Supporters argued that field experience is valuable regardless of formal credentials. The conference, which began on August 21 and is scheduled to end on August 28, has brought together legal professionals to discuss issues affecting Nigeria’s legal system and society. Otse’s appearance has ensured that the conversation about who gets to speak on public platforms—and what qualifies as expertise—will continue long after the conference ends.