Popular social media critic, Martins Otse, better known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), has accused the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, of manipulating Nigeria’s judicial system.
He claims the minister wields undue influence over judges, alleging that Wike has “judges in his pocket.”
These allegations arose following the demolition of a property situated opposite Wike’s residence in Asokoro, an upscale area of Abuja.
VeryDarkMan took to Instagram to share the grievances of an affected party, who alleged that the authorities demolished the property with the intent of appropriating the land for personal use.
The complainant claimed they had spent over a decade developing the property before the sudden demolition.
Reacting with outrage, VeryDarkMan questioned the integrity of the judicial system in Nigeria, stating:”This place is said to be opposite Wike’s house, which I find very suspicious. May God not let this evil happen to us; people will rather come to VeryDarkMan than go to court for justice.”
The critic highlighted growing public distrust in the judiciary, attributing it to alleged interference by influential figures like Wike.
He expressed frustration over the lack of due process, pointing out the demolition’s potential security implications:”It is painful to think that no one believes in the justice system in Nigeria anymore because the judiciary has been allegedly bought by the likes of Nyesom Wike and his cahoots.
How do you carry out this kind of act without notice? Do you even sit down to think of the security implications?”
VeryDarkMan further accused Wike of allegedly providing properties to judges in an attempt to sway court decisions. He criticized the current state of justice in Nigeria, where people now seek redress on social media instead of in court:”Why do people come to me on social media instead of the courts? It shows that they believe the judiciary has been compromised. This is a shameful reality.”
VeryDarkMan’s statements have ignited widespread debate online, with many Nigerians expressing concern over the increasing lack of faith in judicial institutions.
Some have called for an independent investigation into the allegations surrounding the Asokoro demolition and the minister’s alleged influence over the judiciary.
Nyesom Wike has yet to issue an official response to these claims. The allegations come at a time when the former governor of Rivers State is under intense scrutiny for his handling of urban policies in the FCT, including a series of demolitions he says are part of efforts to restore order in Abuja.
This incident raises questions about the role of the judiciary in Nigeria’s democracy. As critics like VeryDarkMan continue to call attention to alleged abuses of power, the need for transparency and judicial reform grows ever more urgent.
