I’m Not Here to Teach You Law, I’m Here to Share Experience” — VeryDarkMan

Law No Longer Noble Profession in Nigeria — VeryDarkMan Social media activist Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, has questioned the long-standing description of law as a noble profession in Nigeria amid controversy over his invitation to speak at the Nigerian Bar Association’s 66th Annual General Conference. VeryDarkMan made the statement in a video shared on social media on Friday while responding to criticism from human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, over his participation in the NBA conference. Falana had criticised the NBA for inviting the activist to speak on national security, arguing that individuals invited to address lawyers on specialised issues should possess relevant expertise or experience. According to Falana, the NBA’s conferences were traditionally platforms for intellectual engagement and should not be turned into entertainment events. He questioned the decision to invite someone he described as having no relevant experience in the country’s security architecture. Reacting to the criticism, VeryDarkMan described the controversy as an issue of “classism,” arguing that his background and social status were responsible for some of the opposition to his invitation. He said Falana’s comments had helped him understand why some people were uncomfortable with his presence at the conference. VeryDarkMan argued that his invitation was based on his practical experiences and not academic qualifications, stressing that he was not invited to teach lawyers about legal practice. The activist had earlier explained his role at the conference, saying he was invited to share his experiences, particularly those gathered from his activities and visits to communities affected by insecurity. “There has been a lot of debate about why I was invited to this NBA conference. I’m not here to teach you people law; I’m here to share experience,” he said during the conference. Turning his attention to the legal profession, VeryDarkMan questioned whether law still deserved to be described as noble given what he considers shortcomings within Nigeria’s justice system. His comments come amid a wider debate among lawyers and commentators over his appearance at the conference. While some lawyers described him as unsuitable for an NBA event, others argued that his experience as a social commentator and his public advocacy on insecurity provided a perspective worth hearing. The controversy has also extended beyond VeryDarkMan’s qualifications, with some commentators using the debate to raise concerns about the legal profession and the justice system. Professor Chidi Odinkalu, a former Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission, had argued that the focus should not solely be on VeryDarkMan’s appearance or style, but on deeper concerns within the legal system, including allegations of corruption involving some lawyers and judges. VeryDarkMan’s participation at the conference also received recognition from the NBA, which presented him with a special award after his panel session on insecurity. The latest exchange has therefore widened the conversation over the role of social commentators in professional spaces, while also raising renewed questions about public confidence in Nigeria’s legal profession and justice system