The Federal High Court in Abuja has granted social media entrepreneur Linus Williams Ifejirika, popularly known as BLord, bail set at ₦20 million in an ongoing impersonation case.
Delivering the ruling on Friday, Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia held that the defendant must provide two sureties in like sum, noting that the sureties must be individuals of reputable standing in society.
The court further ordered BLord to deposit his international passport with the court registrar and cautioned him against making public statements relating to the case while proceedings are ongoing.
Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia emphasised that bail remains a discretionary power of the court, after which she adjourned the matter until April 27 for hearing.
BLord had been in custody at the Kuje Correctional Centre since April 1 following his arraignment by the Nigeria Police on a six-count charge bordering on alleged impersonation of social media influencer Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM).
His legal team had relied on constitutional provisions and the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015 in filing for bail, supported by a 10-paragraph affidavit urging the court to exercise discretion in his favour.
During proceedings, counsel to VDM withdrew a previously filed counter-affidavit opposing the bail application, effectively raising no further objection.
The dispute stems from allegations that BLord used VDM’s image and brand identity without consent to promote business ventures, leading to the current legal proceedings.
