Social media activist Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, on Friday described the legal profession as one of the poorest and most financially strained in Nigeria, as he hit back at lawyers who criticised his invitation to the Nigerian Bar Association’s annual conference.
Otse had taken part in a panel discussion on insecurity and broader challenges facing Nigerians at the NBA’s 66th Annual General Conference in Port Harcourt. His presence drew sharp objections from some members of the bar, who questioned the decision to invite a non-lawyer activist.
In a video posted on his social media platforms, Otse said he had attended to give voice to ordinary citizens. “I spoke on behalf of the poor people. I spoke on behalf of the people that don’t have a voice,” he said. “Because a son of nobody was seen in your midst.”
He then challenged the traditional view of law as a prestigious calling. “This bunch of clowns are telling me that law is a noble profession,” Otse said. “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.”
The activist argued that large numbers of qualified lawyers struggle to find steady work or build viable practices. “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. “Because we never talk about it. Law is one of the most broke professions. One of the poorest professions in this country is law.”
Otse questioned how many of those called to the bar actually secure employment or appear regularly in court. “How many lawyers are there? How many lawyers have jobs? How many lawyers actually go to court? Ask yourself that,” he said.
He also pointed to the annual output of the Nigerian Law School. “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,” he added.
The comments came after controversy over Otse’s appearance at the Port Harcourt gathering, where organisers had invited him to contribute to discussions on insecurity and issues affecting ordinary Nigerians.
