The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has honoured social media influencer Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, with a special recognition award at its ongoing 2026 Annual General Conference in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The award was presented on Tuesday after VeryDarkMan participated as a panellist during a session focused on insecurity and other pressing challenges facing Nigeria.
Why the NBA recognised VeryDarkMan
Presenting the award, the session moderator said the NBA appreciated VeryDarkMan for attending the conference and sharing his personal experiences and perspectives with participants.
The moderator also urged him to avoid taking the law into his own hands when confronted with attacks, advising him to report such incidents to the police.
VeryDarkMan subsequently joined NBA officials for photographs after receiving the recognition.
‘I’m here to share experience, not teach law’
Before the panel session, VeryDarkMan addressed questions surrounding his invitation to the lawyers’ conference.
He clarified that he was not invited to teach lawyers about legal practice but to share his experiences, particularly his exposure to insecurity and its impact on Nigerians.
He said his experiences in dealing with security-related issues gave him a perspective he believed was relevant to the discussion.
VeryDarkMan raises concerns over insecurity
During the session, the social media personality criticised what he described as inadequate attention to killings and attacks across the country.
He argued that insecurity should be treated as a national emergency and questioned whether the media was doing enough to consistently report violent incidents and their consequences.
VeryDarkMan also referenced the reported abduction of a judge travelling from Sokoto State, using the incident to highlight his concerns about the safety of Nigerians, including judicial officers.
He further spoke about the 2025 attack in Yelwata, Benue State, saying he personally witnessed the aftermath of violent attacks and had been involved in responding to victims.
NBA conference draws public attention
VeryDarkMan’s appearance has generated significant public interest because of his outspoken activism and frequent criticism of government institutions and public officials.
His participation comes during the NBA’s 2026 Annual General Conference in Port Harcourt, which is themed “Beyond Limits.” The conference is bringing together legal practitioners and other prominent figures to discuss issues affecting justice, governance and Nigerian society.
The recognition adds another notable moment to VeryDarkMan’s growing public profile as a social media personality who has increasingly become involved in conversations around governance, security and accountability.
OnPointGist will continue to bring you the latest developments from the NBA conference and other major stories across Nigeria.
