Falana Rejects Defence of VDM’s Conference Role, Demands Experienced Speakers

Human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, has criticised the Nigerian Bar Association for inviting social media activist Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, to speak at its annual conference.

Falana spoke on Thursday during an interview with Channels Television while reacting to the controversy surrounding VDM’s appearance at the NBA’s 66th Annual General Conference in Port Harcourt, where he addressed issues concerning insecurity.

The senior lawyer argued that speakers invited to address lawyers should possess relevant expertise or experience in the subject under discussion.

He maintained that NBA conferences should serve as platforms for intellectual engagement and professional learning rather than entertainment.

Falana said that when specialised issues such as national security are being discussed, the NBA should invite individuals with direct knowledge or experience of the subject.

According to him, experts from the public or private sector who have contributed to the country’s security architecture would be more appropriate for such discussions.

He argued that inviting individuals without relevant experience to speak on specialised matters could undermine the purpose of professional conferences.

His comments followed arguments by some lawyers, including Professor Chidi Odinkalu, who defended VDM’s invitation as an opportunity for the legal profession to hear directly from members of the public who interact with the justice system.

Falana acknowledged the importance of lawyers engaging the public but maintained that such engagement should be matched with the subject being discussed.

He said members of the public could appropriately be invited to discuss justice delivery, particularly as victims or users of the justice system, but specialised security discussions should involve security experts, practitioners or victims of insecurity.

Falana also called on the NBA to return to what he described as the intellectual tradition of its conferences.

He recalled that prominent legal figures such as the late Dr Akinola Aguda and former Justice Chukwudifu Oputa had delivered presentations that generated extensive public debate among lawyers and academics.

He said such presentations continued to influence discussions even after the conferences ended.

Falana further urged the NBA to carefully examine the credentials and records of political leaders invited to speak on democracy and the rule of law.

He argued that former political leaders should be able to demonstrate respect for democratic principles, judicial decisions, human rights and media freedom during their time in office.

The controversy over VDM’s appearance at the NBA conference continues to generate reactions, particularly over his comments concerning insecurity, kidnapping and the conduct of security personnel in Nigeria.