The Abuja-Based Rivers Lawyers Association (ABRLA) has demanded that social media personality Martin Vincent Etse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, retract alleged defamatory publications against its member, Jordan Wike, Esq., and issue a public apology within seven days.
The association, in a press release dated October 24, 2026, accused VeryDarkMan of making damaging allegations against the lawyer in a video reportedly published on October 21 and circulated across Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and other social media platforms.
According to ABRLA, the video, which it said had attracted millions of views and numerous comments, allegedly referred to Wike as a “thief” and accused him of involvement in an alleged $2.1 million fraud relating to land acquisition and purported lobbying activities in the United Kingdom.
The association also faulted the social media personality for allegedly claiming that Wike was the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Obio/Akpor Federal Constituency in Rivers State ahead of the 2027 general election.
It further accused VeryDarkMan of alleging that Wike had admitted receiving the money in question and handing it over to his father.
ABRLA described the claims as misleading and unfounded, insisting that they could expose its member to public ridicule, hatred and reputational damage, particularly given his status as a legal practitioner.
Association denies fraud allegations
In its statement, the association maintained that Wike should not be portrayed as a criminal over allegations that have yet to result in a conviction by a court of competent jurisdiction.
It said its member had denied involvement in fraudulent activities in his defence in the pending court matter.
“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 association stressed that the existence of a pending lawsuit did not amount to a final conviction, warning against presenting allegations of criminal conduct as established facts before the conclusion of judicial proceedings.
It also categorically denied that Wike had admitted receiving $2.1 million from anyone or handing the money over to his father.
ABRLA said it was concerned that the circulation of the allegations could damage its member’s professional standing and undermine public confidence in the legal profession and the administration of justice.
ABRLA clarifies APC candidacy
The association also dismissed the claim that Wike was the APC candidate for Obio/Akpor Federal Constituency in the 2027 elections.
According to the statement, Wike neither expressed interest in contesting the seat nor participated in the party’s primary election.
It identified Hon. Martins Amaewhule as the APC candidate for the constituency in the forthcoming election.
The association further objected to the alleged use of the name “Jordan Wicked” to refer to its member, insisting that his name remained Jordan Wike, Esq.
Demands withdrawal of video, public apology
ABRLA said it would ordinarily have refrained from commenting publicly on allegations connected to a matter before the courts, out of respect for judicial proceedings and the principle against trial by public opinion.
However, it said the seriousness of the allegations and the reach of the video had made a public response necessary to protect its member’s reputation.
The association subsequently outlined four demands to VeryDarkMan.
First, it urged him to respect the judicial process and desist from what it described as the continued media trial of Wike while the case remained before the court.
Second, it demanded the immediate retraction and withdrawal of the video and all related publications containing the alleged defamatory statements from Facebook, YouTube, Instagram and other platforms.
Third, it called on the social media personality to cease and desist from publishing or republishing the same or substantially similar allegations against the lawyer.
Finally, ABRLA demanded an unequivocal and unreserved public apology to Wike within seven days, acknowledging the injury allegedly caused by the publications.
The association maintained that freedom of expression did not grant anyone an unrestricted licence to publish defamatory statements or present unproven criminal allegations as established facts without an adequate evidential basis.
It warned that failure to comply with its demands, or any further allegedly defamatory publication, would prompt it to take appropriate steps on behalf of its member to protect his legal rights.
The statement was signed by C. Njoku, Esq., and P. L. Osakwe, Esq., on behalf of the Abuja Base Rivers Lawyers Association.
The allegations against VeryDarkMan and the association’s account of the pending legal dispute remain claims made in the press release. The statement did not include a response from VeryDarkMan.