Falana Criticises NBA Over VeryDarkMan’s Conference Invitation, Says Lawyers’ Gatherings Should Prioritise Expertise

Human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Femi Falana, has questioned the Nigerian Bar Association’s (NBA) decision to invite social media personality Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), to its 2026 Annual General Conference held in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

Speaking during a television interview, Falana said professional conferences organised by the NBA should focus on intellectual engagement and feature individuals with proven expertise and practical experience in the areas being discussed.

According to him, past NBA conferences were known for bringing together distinguished professionals and experts who could contribute meaningfully to discussions on national issues and enrich participants with valuable insights.

Falana argued that discussions on critical matters such as national security should involve individuals who have made notable contributions to the country’s security framework, either in the public or private sector.

He also maintained that conversations on media and press freedom should be led by experienced journalists, academics, or media professionals with established records in the field.

The senior lawyer expressed concern that inviting personalities without relevant professional backgrounds to speak on specialised subjects could undermine the quality of discourse expected at such gatherings.

The debate surrounding VDM’s participation intensified after the social media influencer alleged that some police officers stationed at checkpoints share information about wealthy travellers with kidnappers.

Reacting to the allegation, the Nigeria Police Force dismissed the claims and challenged VDM to provide evidence to support them. The Force stated that its personnel operate under demanding conditions and warned against generalising the actions of a few individuals to the entire institution.

Police authorities further assured the public that any officer found guilty of misconduct would face disciplinary measures and possible prosecution. They also pledged to investigate any credible evidence linking officers to criminal activities.

The controversy has continued to generate discussions about the role of guest speakers at professional conferences and the standards expected in conversations on sensitive national issues.