PORT HARCOURT, Nigeria — Nigerian social media activist Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, criticised Nigeria’s legal profession on Friday, August 28, 2026, stating that law can no longer be regarded as a noble profession in the country.
Golden Info reports that Martins Vincent Otse published a video on his social media page on Friday responding to criticism surrounding his participation in a panel discussion on insecurity at the 66th Annual General Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association in Port Harcourt.
Martins Vincent Otse stated that he attended the conference to speak on behalf of citizens who lack a platform to express their concerns. “I spoke on behalf of the poor people. I spoke on behalf of the people that don’t have a voice,” he said. He questioned the negative reactions from lawyers regarding his presence, saying, “Because a son of nobody was seen in your midst.”
Dismissing the assertion that law remains a noble field in the country, Martins Vincent Otse rejected descriptions of the profession’s status. “This bunch of clowns are telling me that law is a noble profession,” he said. He added, “Well, lately, law has not been a noble profession. I’m sorry to say. I’m not even sorry to say. It is what it is.”
Martins Vincent Otse stated that many legal practitioners in the country face financial hardship and unemployment. “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,” he said. He added, “Because we never talk about it. Law is one of the most broke professions. One of the poorest professions in this country is law.”
Martins Vincent Otse questioned the number of lawyers who actively practise or hold employment. “How many lawyers are there? How many lawyers have jobs? How many lawyers actually go to court? Ask yourself that,” he said. He also raised concerns about graduates entering the profession from the Nigerian Law School, saying, “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.”
The activist’s remarks followed reactions from legal practitioners regarding his invitation to contribute to conference discussions addressing insecurity and national issues.