The Nigeria Police Force has applied to withdraw a counter-affidavit it previously filed opposing the bail request of cryptocurrency entrepreneur Linus Williams Ifejirika, popularly known as B-Lord, as legal proceedings in his case continue at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The development emerged on Tuesday, but the case could not proceed as scheduled due to the absence of the presiding judge, causing a temporary setback in the hearing of the bail application. The delay comes amid growing urgency from the defence team, which has been pushing for an accelerated hearing following Ifejirika’s continued detention at the Kuje Correctional Centre.
Earlier efforts by the defence to fast-track the bail process had included a formal request to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court to assign a vacation judge to hear the application. In a letter dated April 2, 2026, the legal team, led by Chukwudi Chikelue of Dunu Chambers, urged that the matter be heard on April 8 or 9, citing the need for urgency after their client’s arraignment and remand.
According to the defence, Ifejirika was arraigned on April 1 before Justice R.N. Ofili-Ajumogobia in a case filed by the Nigeria Police Force, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/126/2026. Although a bail application was promptly filed and served on the prosecution, it was not heard on the same day because it was not yet ripe for consideration. The court subsequently adjourned the matter to April 27, 2026, for trial.
In their letter, the defence stated: “The application for bail will be ripe for hearing on the 8th April, 2026. We humbly request for a date for hearing of the application for bail on the 8th or 9th of April, 2026 by the vacation judge.”
Ifejirika, 27, is facing a six-count charge filed by the Inspector-General of Police, bordering on alleged cybercrime, impersonation, and fraud. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Court documents indicate that the charges stem from allegations that he fraudulently used the identity and brand of social media influencer Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), to promote his business ventures, including the Billpoint application.
Prosecutors allege that Ifejirika falsely claimed that VeryDarkMan endorsed his platform as the “number one app” for booking local and international flights, in violation of provisions of the Cybercrime (Prevention, Protection, etc.) Act. Another count accuses him of using his Instagram handle, @mrblordofficial, to mislead the public into believing the influencer was his brand ambassador for financial gain.
Further allegations include publishing promotional content suggesting that VeryDarkMan would attend a business rally in Onitsha, Anambra State, in order to attract financial commitments from unsuspecting members of the public. Additional counts involve the alleged use of business premises linked to Blord Group to disseminate fraudulent messages and the creation of fake digital records, including a purported flight ticket bearing the name “Martins Otse.”
The offences are said to contravene provisions of the Cybercrime Act, as amended in 2024, as well as the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006.
The case followed a petition filed by VeryDarkMan, who accused Ifejirika of repeatedly using his name and likeness without consent for promotional purposes. The court had earlier ordered the entrepreneur’s remand at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending further proceedings, now scheduled to continue on April 27.
