The Abuja Base Rivers Lawyers Association (ABRLA) has demanded the retraction of a video published by social media personality Martin Vincent Etse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, and a public apology to its member, Jordan Wike, Esq., over alleged defamatory statements.
The association, in a statement signed by C. Njoku, Esq., and P. L. Osakwe, Esq., on behalf of the Abuja Base Rivers Lawyers Association accused VeryDarkMan of making unsubstantiated allegations of fraud and dishonesty against Wike in a video circulated on social media.
ABRLA said the video, which reportedly attracted millions of views across Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and other platforms, 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 association also faulted claims that Wike had admitted receiving the money and handing it over to his father, insisting that its member never made such an admission.
It further dismissed the claim that Wike is the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Obio/Akpor Federal Constituency in the 2027 general elections, stating that he neither indicated interest nor contested the party’s primary election.
According to the association, the APC candidate for the constituency is Hon. Martins Amaewhule.
ABRLA maintained that no court of competent jurisdiction in Nigeria or elsewhere had convicted Wike of fraud, stressing that the pendency of a case does not amount to a conviction.
The association expressed concern that presenting unproven allegations of criminal conduct as established facts could damage its member’s professional reputation, mislead the public and undermine confidence in the legal profession and the administration of justice.
It also cautioned against subjecting matters pending before a court to public trial, noting that freedom of expression does not grant anyone unrestricted licence to publish defamatory statements.
Consequently, ABRLA called on VeryDarkMan to respect the judicial process and desist from what it described as the media trial of its member.
The association demanded the immediate withdrawal of the video and all related publications from social media platforms, as well as an end to further publication or republication of the allegations.
It further gave the social media personality seven days to issue a clear and unreserved public apology to Wike.
The association warned that failure to meet its demands would prompt it to take appropriate legal steps to protect its member’s rights.
