A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the remand of popular cryptocurrency entrepreneur Linus Williams Ifejirika, widely known as Blord, at the Kuje Correctional Centre over multiple criminal allegations.
Blord is facing charges including criminal conspiracy, impersonation, identity theft, and unauthorised use of another person’s identity, stemming from allegations made by social media personality Martins Vincent Otse, also known as VeryDarkMan.
According to the claims, VeryDarkMan accused Blord of using his name, image, and identity without consent for promotional activities. He alleged that Blord falsely announced a ₦500 million endorsement deal, claiming he had been signed as a brand ambassador for one of his companies.
VeryDarkMan further stated that promotional materials, including billboards and flyers bearing his image, were circulated to suggest a business relationship that never existed. He also accused Blord of forging flight ticket details in his name, claiming he was scheduled to attend a product launch event in Onitsha. He described the actions as misleading and harmful to his reputation.
Following Blord’s arraignment, the court ruled that he should remain in custody pending further proceedings, fixing April 27, 2026, as the next hearing date. The decision means the entrepreneur is expected to spend several weeks in detention.
Reacting to the development, VeryDarkMan shared a video from the court premises expressing satisfaction with the ruling, noting that Blord would remain in custody for about 26 days, including the Easter period. A legal practitioner, Marshal Abubakar, confirmed that Blord had been transferred from Awka to Abuja for trial and stated that the legal process would continue.
The case has, however, sparked mixed reactions. Human rights activist Omoyele Sowore criticised the public celebration of Blord’s detention, warning against glorifying incarceration. He argued that justice should not be reduced to punishment alone and cautioned that such reactions could encourage misuse of the legal system. Sowore also expressed concern over the handling of the case, stating that true justice must be based on the strength of evidence rather than legal tactics.
Blord, founder of the Blord Group, a conglomerate with interests in real estate, fintech, and cryptocurrency services, remains at the centre of intense public debate, with opinions sharply divided across social media platforms as the case unfolds.
