Human rights activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, has vowed to push for the discontinuation of the criminal case against Nigerian cryptocurrency entrepreneur, Linus Williams Ifejirika, popularly known as Blord or B-Lord, who has been remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre.
B-Lord, founder of the Blord Group, was arraigned before the Federal High Court in Abuja over allegations bordering on criminal conspiracy, impersonation, and the unauthorised use of the identity of social media activist Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan.
Following his arraignment, the court ordered his remand at the Kuje Correctional Centre until April 27, 2026.
Reacting on Wednesday shortly after the remand order, Sowore condemned the detention, warning against the growing trend of using the legal system to oppress citizens.
The activist disclosed that he had already taken steps to distance his legal team from the case while also indicating his intention to ensure B-Lord regains his freedom.
“I have read about the court-ordered detention of an individual known as B-Lord, and I must say this clearly that no one should celebrate the incarceration of any person under the colour of law,” Sowore said.
He further revealed that he had contacted his lawyer, Marshal Abubakar, urging him to withdraw from any involvement in the matter.
“I have reached out to my astute rights lawyer, Marshal D F Abubakar, urging him to disengage from the process,” he added.
Sowore criticised the celebration of B-Lord’s detention in some quarters, stating that such reactions undermine the principles of justice and due process.
“We must all agree that sending B-Lord to prison is not a victory for legal brilliance or advocacy. Rather, it risks emboldening a system of oppression that weaponizes the law against citizens,” he said.
The activist emphasised that justice should not be equated with punishment, insisting that the legal system must not be used as a tool for persecution.
“Justice must never be reduced to punishment for its own sake. I will work to ensure this case is discontinued and B-Lord is released without further delay,” Sowore added.
Earlier on Wednesday, SaharaReporters reported that B-Lord had been remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre for 26 days following his arraignment.
The case stems from a petition filed by VeryDarkMan, who accused B-Lord of falsely using his name and image to promote business ventures and products without consent.
According to VeryDarkMan, the businessman was arraigned on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, on multiple criminal counts before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
After the charges were read, B-Lord pleaded not guilty to the allegations. The court subsequently ordered his remand at the Kuje Correctional Centre for 26 days pending further hearing of the case.
VeryDarkMan disclosed that the case has been adjourned until April 27, when the court is expected to continue proceedings.
In a video posted on his Facebook page, VeryDarkMan accused B-Lord of forging documents, printing promotional materials with his face, and falsely claiming a multi-million-naira endorsement deal.
“As you all know, Mr. Linus forged flight tickets with my name ‘Martins Otse’ and claimed I was coming to Onitsha to join him in launching his Blunt Gadget app,” VeryDarkMan wrote.
“He also claimed he paid me N500 million to be his brand ambassador and said I approved the Billpoint app. He printed a billboard with my face on it and claimed I was his ambassador without my permission. He also printed different fliers with my face on them claiming we had an agreement.”
The activist insisted that none of the claims were true, adding that he has consistently refused promotional deals on his social media platforms.
“All of these are false because I, Martins Vincent Otse, have boldly written on all my social media bios that I do not take adverts or promotions,” he stated.
VeryDarkMan also revealed that he had previously rejected lucrative endorsement offers in order to maintain what he described as the integrity of his brand.
“It will also interest Nigerians to know I have turned down ambassadorship deals worth over N700 million because I intend to use my brand for something meaningful,” he added.
In a video shared online after the court proceedings, VeryDarkMan claimed he followed law enforcement officials as B-Lord was transported to prison in a “Black Maria” prison vehicle.
“B-Lord run the group prison. B-Lord , go there… go there, just spend Easter. B-Lord go spend Easter for there,” he said in the video.
“We are escorting him now. As you can see, I am escorting B-Lord to Kuje Prison. We’re on the road to Kuje. Show them where B-Lord is, inside the Black Maria.”
The activist said he wanted to personally witness the businessman’s arrival at the correctional facility.
“I want to make sure that I see him enter inside that prison,” he said.
