Law is 'one of the poorest professions' in Nigeria, says activist VeryDarkMan

Social media activist Martins Vincent Otse, widely known as VeryDarkMan, has controversially declared law to be one of the poorest professions in Nigeria. His remarks came in response to criticism following his invitation to speak on a panel about insecurity at the Nigerian Bar Association’s (NBA) 66th Annual General Conference in Port Harcourt.

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I spoke on behalf of the poor people. I spoke on behalf of the people that don’t have a voice.

VeryDarkMan defended his participation, stating he attended to represent the interests of poor Nigerians and those without a voice. He questioned the discomfort some legal professionals expressed regarding his presence, suggesting it stemmed from his background. "Because a son of nobody was seen in your midst," he remarked.

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Because a son of nobody was seen in your midst.

He then turned his criticism towards the legal profession itself, challenging the notion that law remains a noble profession. "Well, lately, law has not been a noble profession. I’m sorry to say. It is what it is," he stated. Otse argued that a significant number of trained lawyers in Nigeria are either unemployed or unable to secure meaningful practice, describing the profession as financially challenging.

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This bunch of clowns are telling me that law is a noble profession. Well, lately, law has not been a noble profession. I’m sorry to say. It is what it is.

Otse further highlighted the disparity between the number of law graduates and available opportunities. "And every year, they say they have people graduating from law school. Four thousand have graduated from law school, only to end up selling bedsheets," he said, questioning how many lawyers actually practice law or find employment within the field. His comments have ignited discussion about the realities faced by legal practitioners in Nigeria.

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But even you, some of you who are not even practising. Mind you, law is one of the most broke professions we have in the country. Because we never talk about it. Law is one of the most broke professions. One of the poorest professions in this country is law.