Social media critic Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), has responded to human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, over criticism of the Nigerian Bar Association’s decision to invite him as a panelist at its Annual General Conference in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
Falana had questioned VDM’s inclusion in a national security panel titled “Known Gunmen or Unknown Gunmen,” arguing that discussions on Nigeria’s security challenges should feature people with demonstrable expertise in the country’s security architecture.
Key Highlights
- VDM accused Femi Falana and other critics of his NBA invitation of “classism.”
- Falana questioned VDM’s suitability for a national security panel.
- VDM defended his participation, citing his experience dealing with security and public complaints.
- The social critic also criticised Nigeria’s justice system and challenged lawyers to defend public confidence in the judiciary.
- VDM claimed he had helped more Nigerians obtain justice than some lawyers criticising him.
Speaking during an interview on Channels Television, Falana said an NBA conference should provide a platform for intellectual engagement and professional discussion rather than entertainment.
His comments followed the NBA’s decision to feature VDM at its annual conference, a move that generated debate within the legal profession and among members of the public.
VDM Accuses Lawyers of Classism
Reacting to Falana’s criticism, VDM accused the Senior Advocate and other lawyers who opposed his invitation of looking down on people from less privileged backgrounds.
According to him, the controversy was driven largely by what he described as “classism” because a person he called the “son of a nobody” had been invited to speak before members of the legal profession and other elites.
“Their problem is that the son of a nobody was invited. The problem these people have is that the son of a nobody was invited to speak where elites are seated. This has been the problem. Classism. These are a bunch of classists,” VDM said.
He also questioned the qualifications and effectiveness of some security professionals who could be considered for such discussions.
VDM Defends Security Experience
VDM argued that discussions about insecurity should not be restricted to individuals with formal qualifications, saying practical experience also mattered.
He cited his involvement in cases affecting ordinary Nigerians and his observations of security challenges as part of the experience he would bring to the discussion.
“In the last few years, I have been present where all these things have happened. I have seen things these security experts have not seen. It’s not about book. It is about experience,” he said.
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The social critic also questioned the effectiveness of some approaches to dealing with suspected terrorists, including the rehabilitation of former Boko Haram members.
VDM Questions Nigeria’s Justice System
VDM subsequently turned his criticism to the legal profession, challenging Falana’s description of law as a noble profession.
He argued that declining public confidence in Nigeria’s justice system had led some citizens to seek help from social media personalities and other informal channels.
“When people want justice, who do they call? They call VDM! Are you not ashamed to be a lawyer in this country where people no longer believe in the justice system of this country?” he asked.
He further criticised what he described as a widespread perception that wealthy individuals can influence judicial outcomes, questioning what was “noble” about a justice system in which some poor Nigerians allegedly feel unable to obtain justice.
VDM Claims He Has Helped Nigerians Obtain Justice
VDM also defended his record of intervening in disputes and assisting members of the public with complaints.
He claimed that he had helped more people obtain justice than some of the lawyers who had criticised his invitation to the NBA conference.
“Most of the lawyers talking on Twitter, I have won more cases and given people justice more than most of them put together,” he claimed.
His comments were not accompanied by independently verified figures establishing the number or nature of the cases he said he had resolved.
Social Critic Challenges Lawyers Over Judges’ Safety
VDM also questioned the response of lawyers to attacks and threats involving members of the judiciary.
He referred to reported cases involving the abduction of judges and asked how many members of the legal profession had publicly spoken out over such incidents.
“Judges have been kidnapped, how many of you have spoken up? These so-called lawyers in this country. At least I can trace what I have done,” he said.
He concluded by defending his personal record and denied ever stealing from or defrauding anyone.
“Go and check my records; I have never stolen anything before, never defrauded anybody before,” he said.
The controversy over VDM’s invitation has continued to generate debate over the role of social media personalities in professional forums, the value of practical experience in national security discussions and the relationship between the legal profession and the wider Nigerian public.
