A Federal High Court in Abuja has granted bail to cryptocurrency entrepreneur Linus Williams Ifejirika, popularly known as Blord, ordering him to surrender his international passport as a key condition of his release.
The ruling was delivered on Friday, April 17, after days of uncertainty following his remand at Kuje Correctional Centre. Human rights activist Omoyele Sowore, who attended proceedings, confirmed the decision.
“Bail has been granted to Linus Williams, popularly known as @mrblordofficial BLORD, on self-recognizance. The court, however, ordered that he deposit his international passport as part of the bail conditions,” Sowore stated.
Blord was arraigned on April 1 over allegations of criminal conspiracy, impersonation and unauthorised use of the image of social media activist Martins Vincent Otse, also known as VeryDarkMan. He had been held at Kuje prison pending the bail hearing.
The case drew public attention amid claims of police misconduct at the National Cybercrime Centre (NCCC). Sources alleged that certain officers colluded to leak a detention video of Blord to VeryDarkMan for the purpose of public humiliation.
One senior police source described the incident as “cruelty, intimidation, and collusion at its best,” claiming officers staged elements of the video while Blord appeared fatigued.
Another insider alleged a “deliberate arrangement” with VeryDarkMan “to punish Blord over a personal dispute,” adding that plans were disrupted when the court remanded him at Kuje instead of the NCCC facility.
Sowore had earlier expressed cautious optimism while present in court. “Today at the Federal High Court in Abuja, I am present for the bail hearing of Linus Williams, widely known as BLORD. As proceedings unfold, we brace ourselves for the worst while still holding on to hope for the best outcome,” he posted.
The police had initially opposed bail but reportedly withdrew their counter-affidavit in the days leading up to Friday’s hearing.
Blord, founder of the Blord Group, remains a prominent figure in Nigeria’s cryptocurrency and business circles. His legal team has not issued further public comments on the next steps or trial date, which had earlier been fixed for April 27.
