Dele Farotimi: VDM's Emergence Highlights Judiciary's Failure, Common Man's New Hope

Prominent human rights advocate, Dele Farotimi, has asserted that the rise of social commentator Martins Vincent Otse, widely recognized as VeryDarkMan (VDM), serves as a stark indicator of the Nigerian judicial system's inability to provide justice to ordinary citizens. Speaking in a video uploaded to his YouTube channel, Farotimi highlighted that regular Nigerians increasingly place their trust in individuals like VDM to secure justice, rather than relying on established legal procedures.

This declaration by Farotimi came amidst his comments on the contentious invitation extended to VeryDarkMan for the 66th Annual General Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) held in Port Harcourt. He further expressed his conviction that figures such as VDM would not have gained prominence if Nigeria possessed efficient police and judicial frameworks. Farotimi cautioned that the nation could witness the emergence of more individuals akin to VeryDarkMan should the judiciary and other governmental bodies fail to adequately resolve the concerns of the populace.

Farotimi asserted, “A society that has law and order, that is ruled by law, that has a functional police system, a functional court system, would not even tolerate the presence or existence of a VDM. VDM is the life indictment of a judicial system that is essentially peopled by crooks in the place of jurists. That’s what VDM is. It represents a type, a type that has been tolerated, mollified because of the failure of the system.” He reiterated this point, stating again, “A society that has law and order, that is ruled by law, that has a functional police system, a functional court system, would not even tolerate the presence or existence of a VDM. VDM is the life indictment of a judicial system that is essentially peopled by crooks in the place of jurists. That’s what VDM is. It represents a type, a type that has been tolerated, mollified because of the failure of the system.”

The lawyer drew a parallel between VeryDarkMan and a mirror, asserting that VDM merely reflects the shortcomings prevalent in Nigerian society. He argued that targeting the activist himself would not address the underlying issues that have fueled his increasing popularity. Farotimi continued, stating, “The reality is that you are the one who has to do something to fix the image in the mirror. VDM is merely the image in your mirror. The society you have built requires VDM to find justice. It’s easier to find justice through the types and likes of VDM than through your courts. They say the judiciary is the last hope of the common man. Nah, lie. VDM has become the last hope of the common man in the society that you built. Shame on all of you. And not just the lawyers or the judges, but the entire society that has made this possible. The society you built requires VDM to do justice. Very soon there will be multiplicities of VDM in the society that you have built. And if you have not noticed, there are already copycat VDMs springing up. Because the society requires VDM to find justice. How much of a shameful society have we built? Or shall I say shameless society? If the courts are useless, the VDMs of this world will emerge. And if you think VDM is the end of it, that’s the best you’re going to get. The ones who will come after, some of them will come behind him and they will carry guns to enforce their laws.” He repeated this strong sentiment, further emphasizing, “The reality is that you are the one who has to do something to fix the image in the mirror. VDM is merely the image in your mirror. The society you have built requires VDM to find justice. It’s easier to find justice through the types and likes of VDM than through your courts. They say the judiciary is the last hope of the common man. Nah, lie. VDM has become the last hope of the common man in the society that you built. Shame on all of you. And not just the lawyers or the judges, but the entire society that has made this possible. The society you built requires VDM to do justice. Very soon there will be multiplicities of VDM in the society that you have built. And if you have not noticed, there are already copycat VDMs springing up. Because the society requires VDM to find justice. How much of a shameful society have we built? Or shall I say shameless society? If the courts are useless, the VDMs of this world will emerge. And if you think VDM is the end of it, that’s the best you’re going to get. The ones who will come after, some of them will come behind him and they will carry guns to enforce their laws.”