NBA presents award to VeryDarkMan at annual conference

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) presented a recognition award to social media influencer Martins Otse, widely known as VeryDarkMan, during its 2026 Annual General Conference in Port Harcourt. Otse received the award after serving as a panelist at the conference, where he shared his perspectives on insecurity and other pressing national issues affecting Nigeria.

“

On behalf of the president and members of the Nigeria Association, I present this award to be here with us and share your own experience. But please, when you are attacked, don’t kill. Report to the police.

During the session, Otse emphasized that his presence was not to lecture legal professionals but to share his lived experiences. He voiced significant concerns regarding the escalating insecurity in the country, particularly criticizing what he described as the media's inadequate coverage of killings and attacks by unknown gunmen. Otse recounted witnessing the aftermath of violent incidents, including the attack on Yelwata in Benue State, where he stated over 200 people were killed.

“

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.

Otse also highlighted the vulnerability of the judiciary to insecurity, referencing the reported abduction of a judge. He criticized media organizations for their perceived lack of thorough reporting on such incidents. The NBA's recognition of Otse, who has a significant online following, underscores a growing engagement between legal bodies and social media influencers on national discourse.

“

This is not a topic of ‘may I, my lord’ because your lords are being kidnapped,” he stated, while recalling the reported abduction of a judge travelling from Sokoto State who, according to him, was kidnapped in Kebbi State on July 26 and released about a week later.