Dele Farotimi Slams VDM Supporters: ‘Shame On All Of You

Human rights lawyer and activist, Dele Farotimi, has attributed the growing popularity and influence of social media activist Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), to what he described as failures within Nigeria’s justice system.

According to Bush Radio Academy, Farotimi made the remarks in a video shared on YouTube on Saturday while reacting to the controversy surrounding VDM’s invitation to the Nigerian Bar Association’s 66th Annual General Conference in Port Harcourt.

The activist argued that a society with an effective police force and functional courts would have little room for personalities such as VDM to emerge as alternative voices for people seeking justice.

Farotimi described VDM as a reflection of the shortcomings of Nigeria’s judicial system, arguing that his emergence was largely enabled by public frustration with existing institutions.

He maintained that rather than attacking the social media activist, Nigerians and relevant authorities should address the institutional weaknesses that have contributed to his growing influence.

According to Farotimi, many Nigerians now find it easier to seek intervention through individuals such as VDM than through the formal judicial system.

He challenged the popular description of the judiciary as the “last hope of the common man”, arguing that the situation had changed because of the level of distrust surrounding the country’s justice system.

Farotimi said the emergence of VDM should serve as a warning to lawyers, judges and society at large about the consequences of failing to provide citizens with accessible and credible avenues for justice.

He further warned that more individuals could emerge to play similar roles if the underlying grievances within society remain unresolved.

The human rights lawyer said copycat versions of VDM were already emerging, arguing that continued institutional failure could produce individuals who might resort to more dangerous means to enforce what they consider justice.

He urged Nigerians to look beyond the personality and activities of VeryDarkMan and instead examine the broader conditions that created an environment where such figures could become influential.

Farotimi stressed that addressing weaknesses in the police, judiciary and other public institutions remained necessary to restore public confidence and reduce the growing reliance on alternative forms of justice.