Legal Practitioner Faults Blord for Remand at Kuje Correctional Centre
A legal practitioner has strongly criticized businessman Linus Williams Ifejirika, widely known as Blord, following his remand at the Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja. The barrister opined that Blord was initially winning the online banter with content creator VeryDarkMan, whose real name is Martins Vincent Otse, but crossed a critical line that led to legal troubles.
How Blord Crossed the Legal Line
In a detailed Facebook post on April 2, barrister Adaeze Genevieve Osege, a women's rights activist and promoter of Igbo culture and language, explained that Blord's actions escalated from mere online banter to a serious legal issue. She noted that Blord allegedly used VeryDarkMan's image on billboard posters and claimed he was his brand ambassador without obtaining proper consent. This move, according to Osege, transformed the situation from social media arguments into a police case and detention.
Osege emphasized: "Blord was winning the online banter until he crossed the line. Using VeryDarkMan’s picture for billboards and allegedly claiming he was his brand ambassador without consent was not just cruise—it was a potential legal landmine." She stressed that the law does not respect factors such as followers count, popularity, or financial status, highlighting the importance of legal boundaries in such disputes.
The Simple Question That Could Have Saved Blord
The barrister expressed surprise that Blord, despite his wealth and influence, failed to seek basic legal advice before taking actions that resulted in his remand. She pointed out that one straightforward question to his lawyer could have averted the entire ordeal. "How can Blord not consult his lawyer before taking certain actions? A whole Blord!" Osege remarked, questioning the wisdom behind ignoring preventive legal counsel.
She elaborated that asking, "Can I legally use this person's image?" might have saved Blord from multiple consequences, including:
- Reputation damage
- Police case involvement
- Public embarrassment
- Possible detention
Osege opined that many Nigerians tend to overlook preventive legal advice, only turning to lawyers when they are already in trouble, a pattern she believes contributed to Blord's current situation.
Reactions to the Lawyer's Remarks
Public reactions to the barrister's comments have been mixed, with some social media users agreeing with her assessment. One user, Cobola Mac, commented: "When you give someone evidence against yourself, they don’t need to fight you—you already did the work for them. Ex Blord provided all the evidence against himself. Social media is not too friendly; be mindful what you put in there."
Another user, Victor Bosseh, doubted Blord's initial success in the online battle, suggesting that desperation led to uncalculated legal risks. Meanwhile, others like Justine Brown called for moving on, stating that Blord will eventually be released and the focus will shift to new topics.
Background on Blord's Legal Ordeal
Blord was arraigned on Wednesday, April 1, on charges including criminal conspiracy, impersonation, and unauthorized use of VeryDarkMan's identity. Although these offences are typically bailable, bail is not automatic and can be refused for various reasons, as explained by another lawyer in a separate report. This legal context underscores the seriousness of the charges and the importance of adhering to legal protocols in such disputes.
The case highlights broader issues about the intersection of social media influence and legal accountability, serving as a cautionary tale for public figures and content creators alike.
