The Abuja Based Rivers Lawyers Association (ABRLA) has demanded the immediate retraction of what it described as defamatory allegations made by social media personality Martin Vincent Etse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, against its member, Mr Jordan Wike, Esq.
The association also demanded a public apology from VeryDarkMan within seven days, warning that failure to comply would prompt it to take legal steps to protect the lawyer’s rights and reputation.
In a statement dated October 24, 2026, ABRLA said its attention was drawn to a video published and widely circulated by VeryDarkMan on or about October 21, in which he allegedly accused Wike of fraud, dishonesty and other improprieties. 
According to the association, the video, which it said had attracted millions of views and numerous comments across Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and other social media platforms, 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.
ABRLA also accused VeryDarkMan of falsely portraying Wike as the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Obio/Akpor Federal Constituency in the 2027 general elections.
The association said the claim was incorrect, noting that Wike neither indicated interest nor contested the APC primary election for the constituency.
It stated that the APC candidate for Obio/Akpor Federal Constituency is Hon. Martins Amaewhule.
ABRLA further rejected an alleged claim that Wike admitted receiving $2.1 million and subsequently handed the money to his father.
“Ordinarily, the Association would have refrained from commenting publicly on allegations reportedly connected with matters that are sub judice, in deference to the administration of justice,” the statement said.
“However, the gravity of the allegations, the apparent reach of the publication, and the potential consequences for our member’s reputation have made it necessary for us to formally address this matter.”
The association maintained that Wike had not been convicted of fraud by any court in Nigeria or elsewhere, stressing that the pendency of a suit did not amount to a conviction.
It also said its member had denied involvement in fraudulent activities in his defence in the pending court proceedings.
ABRLA further clarified that Wike had never admitted receiving the alleged $2.1 million or giving the money to his father.
The association also took exception to the social media personality’s alleged reference to its member as “Jordan Wicked”, insisting that his name remained Jordan Wike, Esq.
According to ABRLA, presenting unproven allegations of criminal conduct as established facts could expose individuals to reputational damage, prejudice public perception and undermine confidence in the legal profession and administration of justice.
The association acknowledged the constitutional protection of freedom of expression but argued that such protection did not amount to an unrestricted licence to publish defamatory allegations or present unproven criminal accusations as established facts.
ABRLA’s demands
ABRLA called on VeryDarkMan to respect the judicial process and desist from what it described as the “media trial” of its member while the matter remains before the court.
It demanded that he immediately retract and withdraw the video and all related publications containing the alleged defamatory statements from Facebook, YouTube, Instagram and other platforms.
The association also demanded that he cease and desist from further publishing or republishing the same or substantially similar allegations against Wike.
Furthermore, ABRLA gave VeryDarkMan seven days to issue a “clear, unequivocal and unreserved public apology” to Wike over the alleged defamatory publication.
The association warned that failure to meet the demands, or any further publication of what it considers false and defamatory allegations against its member, would lead to legal action to enforce his rights.
The statement was signed by C. Njoku, Esq., and P. L. Osakwe, Esq., on behalf of the Abuja Based Rivers Lawyers Association.
