Alleged Impersonation Scandal—‘B Lord’ Faces Up to 7 Years in Prison as Cybercrime Charges Rock Abuja Court
By Passman Akpos
A developing legal storm is unfolding at the Federal High Court in Abuja, where a social media personality popularly known as B Lord is facing serious criminal charges that could result in a prison sentence of up to seven years if convicted.
According to details contained in the charge sheet, the case—filed under Nigerian law—centers on allegations of identity theft, impersonation, fraud, and manipulation of electronic data. The defendant is accused of unlawfully using the identity and image of Vincent Otse, widely known online as VeryDarkMan (VDM), without authorization.
Key Allegations
Court documents allege that B Lord used VDM’s identity on Instagram through the handle
mrblordofficial to promote a flight booking platform. Prosecutors claim this created a false impression that VDM had endorsed or approved the service for booking both local and international flights.
Legal experts note that this allegation falls under provisions of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition Prevention etc) Act 2015, particularly Section 22, which addresses identity theft and impersonation.
In addition, the prosecution alleges that false public messages were circulated, including claims that VDM had agreed to attend a public event in Onitsha—potentially misleading members of the public. This forms part of the charges under the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act 2006, which criminalizes obtaining benefits through false representation.
Further accusations include:
Unauthorized use of the “VeryDarkMan” identity online, allegedly interfering with the rightful owner’s digital presence.
Creation or alteration of electronic data to produce a fake flight ticket in the name “Martins Otse,” an act prosecutors classify as computer-related forgery.
Legal Implications
Legal analysts say that if proven, the charges—ranging from impersonation to cyber fraud—carry significant penalties. Some counts under Nigeria’s cybercrime laws can attract prison terms of up to seven years, depending on the court’s findings and sentencing decisions.
Case Beyond Public Debate
The case has also drawn commentary involving activist Omoyele Sowore, though legal practitioners emphasize that criminal proceedings, once initiated by the state, cannot be withdrawn by individuals or public figures.
Observers stress that the matter remains State vs. Defendant, with the alleged victim—VDM—playing a central role as the complainant.
Calls for Resolution
Amid rising public debate, some voices have called for an out-of-court resolution, urging dialogue between parties to potentially de-escalate the situation. However, legal experts maintain that even if bail is granted, the defendant must still return to court to face the charges.
A Test of Nigeria’s Cybercrime Laws
The case is quickly becoming a major test of how Nigerian courts interpret and enforce laws around digital identity, AI-generated content, and online impersonation
As proceedings continue, all eyes remain on the Federal High Court, where the outcome could set a significant precedent for cyber-related offences in the country.
More updates to follow…
