Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VDM, has weighed in on the ongoing situation involving Nigerian artist Speed Darlington, who has been detained for over a week without the option of bail. The response comes after Darlington’s lawyer, Stan Alieke, expressed frustration about the prolonged detention in a recent statement,
In a video posted by VDM on social media, the activist voiced his concerns over the unfair treatment of Speed Darlington, calling it a clear form of oppression. “It is unfair for Darlington to remain in detention for so long without bail,” VDM stated. He further accused the police of misusing their power in what he perceived as a violation of Darlington’s rights.
VDM also took the opportunity to call on Afrobeats star Burna Boy to take legal action against Darlington if the two are indeed involved in a dispute. “If Burna Boy is behind this case, he should take Darlington to court and get his money back,” VDM remarked, urging the international artist to pursue legal recourse rather than relying on detention as a form of resolution.
In his video, VDM also expressed disapproval of Darlington’s actions, specifically referring to the controversy surrounding the artist’s comments about Burna Boy’s mother. “I was upset when Darlington involved Burna Boy’s mother,” he explained. “I value my own mother and take her seriously, and I don’t think it’s right to bring family members into such disputes.”
VDM continued by criticizing Nigeria’s judicial system, claiming it is in a state of disarray. “Our judicial system is broken,” he said, adding that he believes bribery often plays a role in avoiding proper judgment. VDM shared his own experience of being detained without bail, citing it as an example of how the system fails to protect the rights of individuals, especially when they lack the means to secure their release.
The activist went on to highlight a deeper issue within the Nigerian legal system, pointing out that many innocent people remain in detention for extended periods due to corruption. “Many innocent people are stuck in prison for months or even years because of corruption in the system,” VDM lamented, underscoring the need for judicial reform.
