The attention of the Abuja Base Rivers Lawyers Association (ABRLA) has been drawn to a widely circulated video published and disseminated by one Martin Vincent Etse (VeryDarkMan) on or about 21ts October, 2026, in which he made several defamatory statements against our member, Mr. Jordan Wike, Esq., concerning allegations of fraud, dishonesty and other purported improprieties.

In the said video, which has reportedly garnered over millions of views and numerous comments on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and other social media platforms, the said VeryDarkMan referred to our member as a “thief” and accused him of involvement in an alleged $2.1 million US Dollars fraud relating to land acquisition and purported lobbying activities in the United Kingdom.

The said VeryDarkMan further erroneously alleged that our member is the Candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC) for Obio/Akpor Federal Constituency, Rivers State in the forthcoming 2027 General Elections scheduled to hold on the 16th January, 2027, which is not only a misrepresentation of facts but also an attempt to further expose our member to public ridicule, hatred and abuse.

He further alleged that our member had admitted to have received the sum of money in question and handed same over to his father. This allegation is not only misleading but unfounded. The said VeryDarkMan did not stop at that, in an attempt to further ridicule our member, he refer to him as Jordan Wicked.

The afore-stated grave allegations which, by their very nature, are capable of exposing our member to public ridicule, contempt and reputational injury, particularly in view of his standing as a legal practitioner. The publication and widespread dissemination of such allegations, if unsubstantiated constitute a serious affront to his professional reputation, personal integrity and standing within the legal profession and the wider society.

SETTING THE REORDS STRAIGHT

Ordinarily, the Association would have refrained from commenting publicly on allegations reportedly connected with matters that are sub judice, in deference to the administration of justice and the principle that disputes pending before a competent court ought not to be subjected to trial by public opinion.
However, the gravity of the allegations, the apparent reach of the publication, and the potential consequences for our member’s reputation have made it necessary for us to formally address this matter.

1. For the records, our member is not a thief or fraudster as falsely represented by the said VeryDarkMan. No Court of competent jurisdiction both in Nigeria and outside Nigeria has pronounced him as such. The pendency of a suit against someone does not cumulate to a final conviction. Our member in his defence to the matter pending at the Court had denied any involvement in any fraudulent activity.

2. Our member never admitted or acknowledged receiving the sum of 2.1 Million US Dollars from anybody neither did he admit giving the said sum to his father.

3. Again, our member is not the Candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC) for Obio/Akpor Federal Constituency, Rivers State in the forthcoming 2027 General Elections. He never indicated interest nor contested in the Primary Election of the All Progressive Congress (APC). It is on record that the candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC) for Obio/Akpor Federal Constituency, Rivers State in the forthcoming 2027 General Elections is no other person than Hon. Martins Amaewhule.

4. Finally, our member’s name is not Mr. Jordan Wicked as disrespectfully referred to by the said VeryDarkMan. His name remains Jordan Wike, Esq.

We are particularly concerned that presenting unproven allegations of criminal conduct as established facts may mislead members of the public, prejudice public perception of persons connected with the allegations, and undermine confidence in the legal profession and the administration of justice. Freedom of expression, while constitutionally protected, does not confer an unrestricted licence to publish defamatory statements or to present allegations of criminal wrongdoing as established facts without a proper evidential basis. Where a publication unlawfully injures another person’s reputation, the law provides remedies to the person aggrieved.

OUR DEMANDS

In view of the foregoing, and without prejudice to our member’s rights and remedies under the law, we hereby demand as follows:

1. That since the matter is already a subject of litigation pending in Court, judicial process must be respected and allowed to conclude to its finality. Thus, Martin Vincent Etse (VeryDarkMan) should respect judicial process and desist from the constant media trial of our member.

2. That Martin Vincent Etse (VeryDarkMan) should immediately retract and withdraw the video and all associated publications containing the alleged defamatory statements against our member, Mr. Jordan Wike, Esq., from Facebook, YouTube, Instagram and every other social media platform or publication.

3. That Martin Vincent Etse (VeryDarkMan) should cease and desist from any further publication or republication of the same or substantially similar allegations against our member.

4. That Martin Vincent Etse (VeryDarkMan) should within seven (7) days, issue a clear, unequivocal and unreserved public apology to our member, Mr. Jordan Wike, Esq.,  acknowledging the injury occasioned by the alleged defamatory publication.


The message signed by C. Njoku, ESQ., P. L OSAKWE ESQ. on behalf of the Lawyers also stated "TAKE NOTICE that failure to yield to our above modest demands and any further attempt to make false allegations capable of defaming the person of our member, Mr. Jordan Wike, Esq reasonable steps shall be taken for and on behalf our member to ventilate his rights."