“Let Him Go To Court And Defend Himself” — Critics Fault Rivers Lawyers’ Defence Of Jordan Wike Over $2.1m Dispute

*Say Group Is Unknown In Legal Circles

The Abuja Based Rivers Lawyers Association has condemned a video publication by social media activist Martin Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, concerning its member, Jordan Wike, describing the allegations contained in the video as defamatory and demanding their withdrawal.

In a statement dated October 24, 2026, jointly signed by C. Njoku, Esq. and P.L. Osakwe, Esq., the association said its attention had been drawn to a widely circulated video published on or about October 21 in which VeryDarkMan made several allegations against Wike.

According to the association, VeryDarkMan referred to Wike as a “thief” and linked him to an alleged $2.1 million transaction involving an Abuja land acquisition and purported lobbying activities in the United Kingdom.

ABRLA said the video, which circulated widely across Facebook, Instagram and YouTube, also alleged that Wike had admitted receiving the $2.1 million and subsequently handed the money to his father.

The association rejected that account, insisting that Jordan Wike had made no such admission.

It also faulted claims that Wike was the All Progressives Congress candidate for Obio/Akpor Federal Constituency in the 2027 general elections.

According to the association, Jordan Wike neither expressed interest in the ticket nor participated in the party’s primary, adding that the APC candidate for the constituency is Hon. Martins Amaewhule.

The association further objected to VeryDarkMan referring to its member as “Jordan Wicked.”

“Wike is not a thief or fraudster as portrayed, and no court of competent jurisdiction in Nigeria or outside has pronounced him as such. The pendency of a suit does not amount to a conviction, and Wike has denied any involvement in fraudulent activity in his defence before the court,” the statement said.

“He never admitted to receiving $2.1 million from anyone, nor giving same to his father.

“He is not the candidate of the APC for Obio/Akpor Federal Constituency. He never indicated interest nor contested in the party’s primary, adding that the APC candidate for the constituency is Hon. Martins Amaewhule.

“His name is Jordan Wike, Esq., not Jordan Wicked.”

ABRLA maintained that although freedom of expression is constitutionally guaranteed, the right does not extend to presenting unproven allegations of criminal conduct as established facts.

The association consequently demanded that VeryDarkMan respect the pending judicial proceedings and desist from what it described as a media trial of its member.

It further demanded the immediate withdrawal of the video and related publications from all platforms, cessation of further publication of similar allegations and a public apology to Jordan Wike within seven days.

The lawyers warned that failure to comply could result in legal steps being taken to protect Wike’s rights.

However, the association’s intervention has itself generated reactions among social media users.

Some commenters questioned the identity and prominence of the Abuja Based Rivers Lawyers Association and argued that, rather than concentrating on public statements, Jordan Wike should place his defence before the court where the underlying civil dispute is pending.

Others questioned how an allegation involving as much as $2.1 million could simply be dismissed without being fully tested through evidence before the court, arguing that the parties should allow the judicial process to establish what actually transpired.

Some online commentators went further by suggesting that the allegations deserved closer scrutiny because of the amount involved.

The existence of a lawsuit or allegations made by a litigant does not establish criminal liability, and no court has found Jordan Wike guilty of fraud or determined that he received the disputed $2.1 million.

The controversy arose from a civil action instituted by Safwan Garba concerning an Abuja land transaction.

Garba’s side has made claims concerning the payment of $2.1 million, while Jordan Wike’s legal team has denied that he admitted receiving the money.

His lead counsel, James Onoja, SAN, had also warned against what he described as false narratives surrounding the pending proceedings, insisting that his client never admitted receiving the disputed sum.

The post “Let Him Go To Court And Defend Himself” — Critics Fault Rivers Lawyers’ Defence Of Jordan Wike Over $2.1m Dispute appeared first on TheNigeriaLawyer.