Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered Linus Williams Ifejirika, popularly known as Blord, into remand at the Kuje Correctional Centre. The cryptocurrency entrepreneur faces charges of criminal conspiracy, impersonation, and unauthorised use of another person's identity. The case stems from allegations by Martins Vincent Otse, widely known as VeryDarkMan, who claims Blord used his name, image, and identity without consent. VeryDarkMan stated that Blord falsely announced he had been paid ₦500 million to serve as a brand ambassador and claimed he endorsed a digital platform.
Promotional materials including billboards and flyers were allegedly produced with VeryDarkMan's image, suggesting a partnership that never existed. He also accused Blord of forging flight ticket details in his name for a planned event in Onitsha. VeryDarkMan described the actions as damaging to his reputation and confirmed in a video from court that he is satisfied with the remand decision. The court set April 27, 2026, for the next hearing, meaning Blord will remain in custody for several weeks.
Legal practitioner Marshal Abubakar confirmed Blord was transferred from Awka to Abuja for the trial. Blord, founder of the Blord Group with interests in real estate, fintech, and cryptocurrency, has not publicly responded to the charges. The case has generated widespread discussion on social media. Activist Omoyele Sowore criticised public celebration of the detention, urging restraint in treating legal proceedings as victories.
Celebrating someone's remand over alleged identity theft risks turning justice into spectacle. VeryDarkMan's claim of a ₦500 million endorsement he never approved cuts to the heart of influencer economy ethics in Nigeria. If proven, it shows how easily public personas can be weaponised for profit without consent. But a prison stay before trial ends shouldn't be framed as justice served.
