Human Rights Activist Files Lawsuit Against Social Media Critic VeryDarkMan Over Alleged Misuse of NGO Donation Funds

 Renowned human rights activist and founder of the Justice Advocacy Network (JAN), Ms. Aisha Bello, has filed a civil lawsuit against popular social media influencer Martins Vincent Otse, widely known as VeryDarkMan, accusing him of defamation, fraud, and breach of trust in connection with donations made to JAN’s official NGO account.

The lawsuit, filed today at the Federal High Court in Abuja (Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1789/2025), stems from a series of viral videos posted by VeryDarkMan in October 2025, in which he publicly alleged that Ms. Bello and JAN had misappropriated over ₦180 million in public donations intended for victims of police brutality and internally displaced persons in northern Nigeria.

According to court documents, VeryDarkMan solicited and received donations through JAN’s verified bank account during a live fundraising campaign on October 12, 2025, claiming the funds would support JAN’s verified humanitarian programs. However, Ms. Bello alleges that VeryDarkMan subsequently withheld critical transaction records, blocked JAN’s access to the donated funds, and launched a baseless defamation campaign accusing the organization of “money laundering” and “fake activism.”

“VeryDarkMan used his platform to raise funds in JAN’s name, then turned around and weaponized those same donations to destroy the reputation of an organization that has supported over 5,000 victims of human rights abuses in the last decade,” said Ms. Bello in a statement. “This is not activism—it is extortion and character assassination. We demand full transparency, restitution of all diverted funds, and ₦500 million in damages for reputational harm.”

The lawsuit seeks:

A court order compelling VeryDarkMan to provide a full audit of all donations received through JAN’s account.

Immediate release of all withheld funds to JAN’s verified humanitarian projects.

₦500 million in compensatory and punitive damages.

A public retraction and apology from VeryDarkMan across all his social media platforms.

Lead counsel for JAN, Barrister Femi Adeyemi, stated: “The evidence is overwhelming. Bank statements, donor testimonies, and VeryDarkMan’s own livestreams will show that he collected funds under false pretenses and then defamed our client to cover his tracks. This case is about accountability—not just for JAN, but for every Nigerian who donated in good faith.”