B-Lord Seeks Urgent Bail Hearing Amid Fraud Charges

The legal battle involving Nigerian cryptocurrency entrepreneur, Linus Williams Ifejirika, popularly known as B-Lord, has taken a fresh turn as his legal team formally applied for an expedited hearing of his bail application following his remand at the Kuje Correctional Centre.

In a letter dated April 2, 2026, issued by Dunu Chambers, Williams’ counsel approached the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, requesting that a vacation judge urgently hear the bail application on April 8 or 9, 2026.

The letter, signed by his lawyer, Chukwudi Chikelue, stated that the defendant was arraigned on April 1 before Justice R.N. Ofili-Ajumogobia at Court 4 of the Federal High Court in Abuja in a case filed by the Nigeria Police Force under charge number FHC/ABJ/CR/126/2026.

According to the defence, although a bail application was filed and served on the prosecution immediately after arraignment, it could not be heard on the same day as it was not yet ripe for consideration. The matter was subsequently adjourned to April 27, 2026, for trial.

“The bail application will be ripe for hearing on the 8th April, 2026. We humbly request a date for a hearing of the application for bail on the 8th or 9th of April, 2026 by the vacation judge,” the letter read.

Williams, 27, is facing a six-count charge bordering on alleged cybercrime, impersonation, and fraud, filed by the Inspector-General of Police. Court documents indicate that the charges stem from allegations that he fraudulently used the identity and brand of social media activist, Martins Vincent Otse, also known as VeryDarkMan, to promote his business ventures, including the Billpoint application.

In one of the counts, prosecutors alleged that Williams 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 charge accused him of using his Instagram handle, @mrblordofficial, to mislead the public into believing that the activist was his brand ambassador, with the intent of gaining financial advantage.

The prosecution further alleged that Williams made false promotional posts, including claims that the activist would attend a business rally in Onitsha, Anambra State, to lure unsuspecting members of the public into making financial commitments.

Additional counts include alleged involvement in permitting the use of business premises linked to Blord Group to disseminate fraudulent messages, as well as 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) and the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006. Williams, however, has pleaded not guilty to all charges.

His arraignment and subsequent remand followed a petition by VeryDarkMan, who accused the entrepreneur of repeatedly using his name and likeness without consent to promote products and services.

Meanwhile, human rights activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, has condemned the detention and vowed to push for the discontinuation of the case.

Sowore criticised what he described as the growing misuse of the legal system to oppress citizens, warning against celebrating the incarceration of individuals before the conclusion of judicial processes.

“We must all agree that sending B-Lord to prison is not a victory for legal brilliance or advocacy. Rather, it risks emboldening a system of oppression that weaponises the law against citizens,” he said.

He also disclosed that he had contacted his lawyer to withdraw from any involvement in the matter, while reiterating his commitment to ensuring that Williams regains his freedom.

The case has continued to generate reactions on social media, particularly following videos posted by VeryDarkMan, who maintained that the businessman fabricated endorsement claims, forged documents, and misled the public using his identity.

With the defence’s fresh move to secure an early bail hearing, attention is now focused on whether the court will grant the request and determine the conditions for Williams’ possible release pending trial.