President Bola Tinubu’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Sunday Dare, has criticised the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) over the platform it provided for social media activist Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), to speak at its ongoing annual conference.
Dare accused the NBA of allowing what he described as a “rabble-rouser” to make reckless allegations against the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies.
His reaction followed the decision by the Nigeria Police Force to invite VDM over comments he made while speaking at the NBA conference in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
VDM had, during his appearance at the conference, alleged that some police officers manning checkpoints along major highways provide kidnappers and bandits with information about travellers, including their movements.
The activist subsequently doubled down on the allegation after the police asked him to provide evidence, saying he would present the evidence in court if he was charged.
Reacting to the controversy in a post on X on Wednesday, Dare questioned the decision by the NBA to give VDM a platform to make the allegations.
“So, NBA gave its platform to a rabble-rouser to make unguarded and reckless accusations against the Police and our security agencies,” Dare wrote.
The presidential aide’s comments come as the controversy surrounding VDM’s appearance at the conference continues to grow.
I Said What I Said
The police, through Force spokesperson CSP Ani Iniedu, had asked the activist to substantiate his claims concerning the alleged involvement of police personnel in the activities of kidnappers and bandits.
VDM, however, maintained that he stood by his statement and insisted that he would provide the evidence through the appropriate legal process.
The development has triggered a wider debate over the kind of voices that should be given platforms at major professional gatherings and the responsibility of public figures when making serious allegations against security institutions.
While VDM has defended his comments as part of his contribution to discussions on Nigeria’s insecurity, the police have maintained that allegations of such magnitude should be supported with evidence.
The NBA conference, which has attracted lawyers and other prominent Nigerians, continues amid the growing exchange between the activist, the police and supporters of the respective positions.