A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Wednesday ordered the remand of Linus Williams Ifejirika, the cryptocurrency entrepreneur popularly known as Blord, at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending the hearing of charges filed against him.
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The court ordered that Blord be remanded for 26 days, with the next hearing scheduled for April 27, 2026.
Blord was arraigned on multiple charges bordering on criminal conspiracy, impersonation, and the unauthorised use of identity of Martins Vincent Otse, the social media activist popularly known as VeryDarkMan.
The defendant pleaded not guilty when the charges were read to him.
The case stemmed from allegations made by VeryDarkMan, who accused Blord of using his image and identity for unauthorised advertisements and promotional activities.
The specific allegations against the defendant include:
- Forging flight tickets bearing the name “Martins Otse” and claiming that VeryDarkMan was travelling to Onitsha to participate in the launch of his “Blunt Gadget” application
- Falsely claiming that he paid VeryDarkMan the sum of ₦500 million to serve as his brand ambassador
- Claiming that VeryDarkMan approved the Billpoint application
- Printing billboards bearing VeryDarkMan’s image and asserting that the activist was his brand ambassador without obtaining permission
- Printing various fliers bearing VeryDarkMan’s image and claiming an agreement existed between them
The complainant has publicly maintained that he does not accept advertisements or promotional engagements, and that all the claims made by the defendant were false.
Following the arraignment, the presiding judge ordered that the defendant be remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending the determination of the matter.
The court adjourned the case to April 27, 2026, for further hearing.
Legal practitioner Marshal Abubakar, counsel to the complainant, confirmed the remand order and the swift legal action taken in the matter.
The detention has drawn criticism from activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore, who condemned the celebration of the defendant’s incarceration.
Sowore stated that he would work to ensure the case is discontinued and the defendant released.
“No one should celebrate the incarceration of any person under the color of law,” Sowore wrote on X.
“Sending Blord to prison is not a victory for legal brilliance or advocacy. Rather, it risks emboldening a system of oppression that weaponises the law against citizens.”
Blord is the founder of the Blord Group, a conglomerate with interests in real estate and financial technology.
The group’s subsidiaries include Blord Real Estate Ltd., Blord Jetpay Ltd., and Billpoint Technology, with a strong emphasis on cryptocurrency trading.
The defendant has built a public profile around these ventures, often employing high-profile promotional strategies.
The charges against the defendant fall under provisions of Nigerian criminal law that prohibit impersonation and the unauthorised use of another person’s identity for commercial or other purposes.
Under Nigerian law, impersonation — particularly for the purpose of commercial gain — is a criminal offence that can attract custodial sentences upon conviction.
The unauthorised use of a person’s image or identity for advertising purposes without consent may also give rise to civil liability for infringement of personality rights, in addition to any criminal sanctions.
The remand of the defendant at Kuje Correctional Centre pending trial raises important legal questions about the boundaries of promotional activities and the protection of individual identity rights in the digital age.
The case highlights the potential criminal consequences that may arise from the alleged unauthorised use of another person’s name, image, or likeness for commercial purposes — even in the context of social media and influencer marketing.
For businesses and individuals engaged in promotional activities, the case serves as a reminder of the legal requirement to obtain proper consent before using another person’s identity in advertisements, endorsements, or brand campaigns.
The defendant remains presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction.
The matter will return before the Federal High Court on April 27, 2026, for continuation of proceedings.
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