The Presidency has criticised the Nigerian Bar Association for allowing social media activist, Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, to make what it described as “unguarded and reckless accusations” against the Nigeria Police Force at the NBA conference in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Media and Publicity, Sunday Dare, made the criticism on Wednesday as controversy continued to trail the activist’s comments at the conference.
VeryDarkMan had alleged that some police officers operating checkpoints along major highways pass information about travellers to kidnappers and bandits.
The allegation has since triggered a response from the police, who summoned the activist to provide evidence to substantiate his claim.
Reacting to the development, Dare took to X, where he questioned the decision of the NBA to provide a platform for VeryDarkMan to make the allegations.
He wrote, “So, NBA gave its platform to a rabble rouser to make unguarded and reckless accusations against the Police and our security agencies.”
The Presidency’s reaction came after the Force spokesman, Ani Iniedu, demanded evidence from the activist to support his allegation against police personnel.
The police invitation has consequently placed the spotlight on the claims made at the legal conference and the responsibility of public figures and professional bodies when allegations are made against security agencies.
VeryDarkMan’s allegation, if substantiated, would raise serious concerns about the safety of travellers on Nigeria’s major highways and the possible compromise of security operations.
However, the police have insisted that the claim must be backed by verifiable evidence rather than being allowed to remain as an unsubstantiated allegation.
The controversy also puts the NBA in the middle of a widening debate over free speech, accountability and the responsibility of conference organisers when controversial allegations are made from their platforms.
Neither the police nor the Presidency has indicated that the allegation has been established as fact.
The activist is expected to face the police over the claim and provide whatever evidence he has to support his allegation.
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