The Abuja Based Rivers Lawyers Association (ABRLA) has accused social media persona, Martin Vincent Etse, popularly referred to as VeryDarkMan, of defaming its member, Mr Jordan Wike, Esq., over allegations bordering on fraud and dishonesty.
The affiliation, in a press release issued in Abuja yesterday, demanded the speedy withdrawal of the alleged defamatory publications and a public apology to Wike inside seven days.
The assertion was signed by C. Njoku, Esq., and P. L. Osakwe, Esq., on behalf of the Abuja Based Rivers Lawyers Association.
ABRLA stated its consideration was drawn to a video allegedly printed by VeryDarkMan on October 21, 2026, through which he accused its member of involvement in an alleged $2.1 million fraud referring to land acquisition and purported lobbying actions within the United Kingdom.
According to the affiliation, the social media persona additionally allegedly referred to Wike as a “thief” and made different statements which it stated had been able to damaging his popularity as a lawyer.
ABRLA additional disputed an alleged declare that Wike is the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Obio/Akpor Federal Constituency in Rivers State for the 2027 basic elections.
The affiliation stated Wike neither indicated curiosity in nor contested the APC major election for the constituency, including that the occasion’s candidate is Hon. Martins Amaewhule.
It additionally rejected an alleged declare that Wike admitted receiving $2.1 million and subsequently handed the cash to his father.
“Our member never admitted or acknowledged receiving the sum of $2.1 million from anybody, neither did he admit giving the said sum to his father,” the affiliation acknowledged.
The attorneys additionally took exception to the outline of their member as ‘Jordan Wicked,’ stressing that his identify is Jordan Wike, Esq.
ABRLA stated it had kept away from commenting on the allegations due to the pending litigation related to the matter, however was compelled to reply due to what it described because the widespread circulation of the video and its potential affect on the lawyer’s popularity.
The affiliation insisted that Wike shouldn’t be described as a thief or fraudster, arguing that no court docket of competent jurisdiction in Nigeria or elsewhere had convicted him of such offences.
“The pendency of a suit against someone does not cumulate to a final conviction,” it stated, including that Wike had denied involvement in any fraudulent exercise in his defence earlier than the court docket.
The affiliation warned in opposition to what it described because the trial by public opinion of issues already earlier than the courts, stressing that unproven allegations of legal conduct shouldn’t be offered as established information.
It maintained that freedom of expression, although constitutionally protected, didn’t give anybody an unrestricted proper to publish defamatory allegations able to inflicting harm to a different particular person’s popularity.
Consequently, ABRLA demanded that VeryDarkMan respect the judicial course of and desist from what it described because the continued “media trial” of its member.
The affiliation additionally demanded the elimination and withdrawal of the video and all associated publications from Facebook, YouTube, Instagram and different social media platforms.
It additional demanded that VeryDarkMan stop and desist from publishing or republishing the identical or comparable allegations in opposition to Wike.
ABRLA gave the social media persona seven days to problem an “unequivocal and unreserved public apology” to Wike over the alleged defamatory publication.
The affiliation warned that failure to adjust to its calls for would result in authorized steps to guard and implement the rights of its member.
We’ve received the sting. Get real-time studies, breaking scoops, and unique angles delivered straight to your telephone. Don’t accept stale information. Join LEADERSHIP NEWS on WhatsApp for twenty-four/7 updates →
