…Demand removal of video over alleged $2.1m fraud claims
The Abuja Based Rivers Lawyers Association (ABRLA) has given social media influencer Martin Vincent Etse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, seven days to retract alleged defamatory statements against its member, Jordan Wike, and issue an unreserved public apology.
The association also demanded the immediate removal of a video allegedly containing accusations of fraud and dishonesty against the lawyer, warning that failure to comply would trigger legal action.
In a statement dated October 24, 2026, and signed by C. Njoku, Esq., and P. L. Osakwe, Esq., on behalf of the association, ABRLA accused the influencer of making damaging allegations against Wike in a video reportedly circulated across Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and other social media platforms.
According to the association, the video, published around October 21, allegedly described Wike as a thief and linked him to an alleged $2.1 million fraud involving land acquisition and purported lobbying activities in the United Kingdom.
The lawyers also faulted the influencer for allegedly claiming that Wike had admitted receiving the money and handing it over to his father.
ABRLA, however, dismissed the allegations as unfounded, insisting that its member had neither admitted receiving the money nor acknowledged handing it over to his father.
The association said the allegations could damage Wike’s reputation, professional standing and integrity as a legal practitioner.
“For the records, our member is not a thief or fraudster as falsely represented by the said VeryDarkMan. No court of competent jurisdiction, both in Nigeria and outside Nigeria, has pronounced him as such,” the statement said.
The lawyers stressed that the pendency of a court case did not amount to a conviction, adding that Wike had denied involvement in fraudulent activities in his defence in the matter reportedly before the court.
The association urged the public to distinguish between allegations and established facts, warning against subjecting matters before the courts to trial on social media.
ABRLA also challenged the alleged claim that its member was the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Obio/Akpor Federal Constituency in Rivers State in the 2027 general elections.
The association maintained that Wike had neither expressed interest in the contest nor participated in the party’s primary election.
It identified Hon. Martins Amaewhule as the APC candidate for the constituency, describing the claim linking its member to the ticket as a misrepresentation of facts.
The lawyers further condemned the alleged reference to their member as “Jordan Wicked”, insisting that his name remained Jordan Wike, Esq.
According to the association, the widespread circulation of the video and the seriousness of the allegations made it necessary to respond publicly to protect its member’s reputation.
It explained that it would ordinarily have refrained from commenting on a matter reportedly pending before a court but decided to address the issue because of the potential consequences for its member.
The association demanded that VeryDarkMan immediately withdraw the video and all related publications containing the allegedly defamatory statements from social media platforms and other outlets.
It also asked him to stop publishing or republishing the same or substantially similar allegations against Wike.
In addition, ABRLA demanded a clear and unreserved public apology within seven days, acknowledging the injury allegedly caused by the publication.
The association warned that failure to meet its demands would leave it with no option but to take appropriate legal steps on behalf of its member.
It maintained that freedom of expression did not give anyone an unrestricted licence to publish defamatory statements or present unproven allegations of criminal conduct as established facts.
The association said the law provided remedies for individuals whose reputations were unlawfully damaged by publications.
The allegations against VeryDarkMan and the association’s claims have not been independently verified for this report. His response to the demands was not available in the statement.
