In a startling public rebuke, prominent Nigerian lawyer Deji Adeyanju, counsel to controversial social media activist Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as Very Dark Man (VDM), issued a stern warning this Sunday.
Adeyanju emphasized that legal protections do not extend to reckless speech and urged VDM to temper his public commentary.
The lawyer’s statement, made via his X (formerly Twitter) page, highlighted VDM’s recurring legal woes stemming from his outspoken criticisms of public figures and institutions.
This public admonition has ignited fierce debate about freedom of speech, personal responsibility, and the often-perilous path of activism in Nigeria.
A Pattern of Disregard: When Counsel Falls on Deaf Ears
Adeyanju’s warning stemmed from a history of ignored advice.
He revealed consistent efforts to guide VDM, noting, “I’ve told him to stop taking unnecessary risks.
The law doesn’t protect reckless speech. He must be cautious and act with wisdom.”
This suggests a deeper rift between the legal strategy and VDM’s public persona.
While freedom of expression is fundamental, Adeyanju stressed, it must operate within legal boundaries.
Critics argue that VDM’s continued disregard for professional counsel reveals a problematic blend of bravado and naiveté, which places him in constant jeopardy.
The Scrutiny of Security Agencies: A Dangerous Game
Adeyanju’s comments also detailed the severe consequences of VDM’s actions.
He revealed that VDM’s relentless online activities have placed him under constant scrutiny by security agencies.
This exposure, Adeyanju warned, could lead to more frequent arrests and detentions.
This statement implicitly criticizes VDM’s apparent underestimation of state power, where legal representation alone cannot always shield one from the repercussions of persistent defiance.
Such warnings are not merely legal advice but a grim reality check for activists operating in Nigeria’s complex political landscape.
The Ephemeral Nature of Public Support: A Harsh Truth
In a particularly cutting observation, Adeyanju highlighted the transient nature of public support.
“If something happens to you today, Nigerians will move on tomorrow.
We do always overrate ourselves but, Nigerians really rate nobody,” he asserted.
This cynical view of public loyalty exposes the harsh realities of activism in Nigeria.
It suggests that while VDM may enjoy fleeting popularity and viral moments, true, enduring support in the face of grave legal challenges is rare.
This statement is a thinly veiled accusation that VDM overestimates his impact and underestimates the indifference of the very public he champions.
Fresh Legal Threats: A Cycle of Controversy
Adeyanju’s timely warning comes amidst reports of fresh legal threats against VDM.
His latest controversies stem from recent comments made on social media platforms.
Although Adeyanju reaffirmed his commitment to defending VDM’s rights, he subtly hinted that avoiding confrontation would serve VDM better in the long run.
This delicate balance between defending a client and cautioning against self-sabotage underscores the lawyer’s exasperation.
It questions whether VDM is genuinely fighting for justice or merely courting controversy for its own sake.
VDM’s Narrative: Accountability vs. Inflammatory Rhetoric
VDM, known for his controversial takes and viral videos, consistently argues that his activism aims to hold the powerful accountable and expose injustice.
However, his critics frequently accuse him of employing inflammatory rhetoric and circulating unverified claims.
This narrative clash highlights a fundamental debate: does effective activism require calculated speech, or is it merely about making noise?
VDM’s method, while achieving virality, often lacks the precision and verifiable evidence that traditional advocacy demands.
This reliance on spectacle over substance is a recurring critique.
The Perilous Path of Activism in Nigeria: A Broader Critique
Adeyanju’s warning to VDM transcends individual circumstances, offering a broader critique of activism in Nigeria.
It illuminates the precarious position of those who challenge the status quo.
The state’s swift response to perceived “reckless speech” suggests a low tolerance for dissent.
This chilling effect often forces activists into self-censorship or, as in VDM’s case, repeated brushes with the law.
The legal system, rather than protecting free expression, often becomes a tool for suppression, particularly when individuals lack nuanced legal guidance.
The Role of Legal Counsel: Guardian or Enabler?
Adeyanju’s public statement raises questions about the lawyer’s role.
Is he a guardian, attempting to steer his client from danger, or an enabler, tacitly supporting tactics that continually invite legal trouble?
His public frustration suggests a deep conflict.
The warning, delivered publicly rather than privately, indicates a desperate attempt to manage a client seemingly beyond conventional control.
This situation highlights the ethical tightrope lawyers walk when representing clients whose methods they may disagree with but whose fundamental rights they must defend.
Self-Sacrifice and Societal Indifference: A Call for Sober Reflection
The lawyer’s blunt assessment that Nigerians “rate nobody” and will “move on tomorrow” is a sobering commentary on societal indifference.
It implies that VDM’s self-proclaimed activism might be a quixotic quest; ultimately unappreciated and unstained by the very people he claims to fight for.
This critique challenges the romanticized view of activism, forcing a confrontation with the often-unglamorous reality of minimal long-term support for those who dare to speak out.
It suggests VDM’s struggles might be in vain, not due to lack of effort, but due to a cynical public.
A Reckoning for VDM and Nigerian Activism
It forces a conversation about the boundaries of free speech, the practical dangers of challenging authority, and the often-fleeting nature of public support.
For VDM, this serves as a critical juncture: continue down a path of increasing legal peril, or heed counsel and adopt a more strategic, sustainable approach to advocacy.
For Nigeria’s activist community, it is a stark reminder that passion alone is insufficient; wisdom, caution, and a realistic understanding of legal and societal landscapes are equally vital.
The question remains: will VDM learn, or will his “reckless speech” ultimately lead to his undoing?
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