Rivers Lawyers Accuse VeryDarkMan Of Defaming Jordan Wike, Demand Apology

The Abuja Based Rivers Lawyers Association (ABRLA) has accused social media personality, Martin Vincent Etse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, of defaming its member, Mr Jordan Wike, Esq., over allegations bordering on fraud and dishonesty.

The association, in a statement issued in Abuja yesterday, demanded the immediate withdrawal of the alleged defamatory publications and a public apology to Wike within seven days.

The statement was signed by C. Njoku, Esq., and P. L. Osakwe, Esq., on behalf of the Abuja Based Rivers Lawyers Association.

ABRLA said its attention was drawn to a video allegedly published by VeryDarkMan on October 21, 2026, in which he accused its member of involvement in an alleged $2.1 million fraud relating to land acquisition and purported lobbying activities in the United Kingdom.

According to the association, the social media personality also allegedly referred to Wike as a “thief” and made other statements which it said were capable of damaging his reputation as a lawyer.

ABRLA further disputed an alleged claim that Wike is the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Obio/Akpor Federal Constituency in Rivers State for the 2027 general elections.

The association said Wike neither indicated interest in nor contested the APC primary election for the constituency, adding that the party’s candidate is Hon. Martins Amaewhule.

It also rejected an alleged claim that Wike admitted receiving $2.1 million and subsequently handed the money 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 association stated.

The lawyers also took exception to the description of their member as ‘Jordan Wicked,’ stressing that his name is Jordan Wike, Esq.

ABRLA said it had refrained from commenting on the allegations because of the pending litigation connected to the matter, but was compelled to respond because of what it described as the widespread circulation of the video and its potential impact on the lawyer’s reputation.

The association insisted that Wike should not be described as a thief or fraudster, arguing that no court 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 said, adding that Wike had denied involvement in any fraudulent activity in his defence before the court.

The association warned against what it described as the trial by public opinion of matters already before the courts, stressing that unproven allegations of criminal conduct should not be presented as established facts.

It maintained that freedom of expression, though constitutionally protected, did not give anyone an unrestricted right to publish defamatory allegations capable of causing injury to another person’s reputation.

Consequently, ABRLA demanded that VeryDarkMan respect the judicial process and desist from what it described as the continued “media trial” of its member.

The association also demanded the removal and withdrawal of the video and all related publications from Facebook, YouTube, Instagram and other social media platforms.

It further demanded that VeryDarkMan cease and desist from publishing or republishing the same or similar allegations against Wike.

ABRLA gave the social media personality seven days to issue an “unequivocal and unreserved public apology” to Wike over the alleged defamatory publication.

The association warned that failure to comply with its demands would lead to legal steps to protect and enforce the rights of its member.