Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, has defended his participation at the Nigerian Bar Association’s 66th Annual General Conference in Port Harcourt, saying he was invited to share his experience on insecurity rather than teach lawyers the law.
The social media activist made the remarks on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, during a plenary session titled “Known Gun Men” at the conference themed “Beyond Limits.”
VDM Responds to Critics
VeryDarkMan’s appearance at the NBA conference had generated debate among lawyers and social media users, with critics questioning why a social media activist was given a platform at a major gathering of legal professionals.
Responding to the criticism during the session, VDM said his role was not to lecture lawyers on legal matters but to speak from his experience dealing with issues affecting Nigerians.
“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.
He added: “This is not a topic of ‘may I my lord’ because your lords are being kidnapped.”
Activist Questions Nigeria’s Security System
VDM also spoke about the causes of insecurity in Nigeria, arguing that the problem has political dimensions and alleging that some government, police and military interests benefit from the continued insecurity.
He referenced increases in military pay since insecurity escalated while questioning the effectiveness of the country’s security response.
Military representatives at the session cautioned him against making broad allegations without evidence, likening generalised claims of corruption in the military to saying all lawyers are corrupt.
Who Attended the Session
The “Known Gun Men” plenary brought together security officials, lawyers and policymakers to examine legal and institutional challenges contributing to insecurity in Nigeria.
The official conference programme listed the Inspector-General of Police, the Director-General of the Department of State Services, Chief Anthony Okechukwu Ojukwu, Dele Farotimi, A.T. Aboki and Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, SAN, who moderated the session.
The session was coordinated by Folashade Abiodun and held from about 10:00 a.m. to 11:40 a.m.
Debate Over VDM’s Role
Supporters of the invitation argued that VDM’s direct engagement with Nigerians and his large online audience gave him a perspective that could contribute to discussions about insecurity and public accountability.
Critics, however, maintained that the NBA conference should prioritise speakers with formal professional credentials, particularly when discussing sensitive issues before members of the legal profession.
Videos from VDM’s appearance circulated widely on X, with clips showing his comments during the session. Separate posts also reported that he received an award or recognition at the conference.
The NBA’s 66th Annual General Conference continues in Port Harcourt until August 28, 2026, with discussions covering legal, governance and national development issues.
