Social media activist Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, has criticised the legal profession in Nigeria, describing law as one of the country’s “poorest professions.”
VeryDarkMan made the remarks while reacting to criticism over his invitation to the Nigerian Bar Association’s 66th Annual General Conference in Port Harcourt, where he participated in a panel session on insecurity.
His appearance at the conference had sparked reactions from some members of the legal profession, who questioned why he was invited to speak at the gathering.
Responding to the criticism in a video shared on social media on Friday, VeryDarkMan said he attended the conference to speak for Nigerians who he described as poor and without a voice.
“I spoke on behalf of the poor people. I spoke on behalf of the people that don’t have a voice,” he said.
He also questioned why some lawyers were uncomfortable with his presence at the conference.
“Because a son of nobody was seen in your midst,” he added.
Turning his criticism to the legal profession, the activist rejected the description of law as a noble profession.
“This bunch of clowns are telling me that law is a noble profession,” he 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.”
VeryDarkMan further argued that many trained lawyers struggle to find employment or opportunities to practise, describing law as one of the poorest professions in the country.
“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.
“One of the poorest professions in this country is law.”
Questioning the employment opportunities available to lawyers, he said, “How many lawyers are there? How many lawyers have jobs? How many lawyers actually go to court? Ask yourself that.”
He also criticised the continued graduation of large numbers of lawyers despite what he described as limited opportunities within the profession.
“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 amid continued reactions to VeryDarkMan’s appearance at the NBA conference, where he shared his views on insecurity and other challenges affecting Nigerians.
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