A fresh twist has emerged in the ongoing social media feud involving Nigerian activist Verydarkman (VDM), as he and his long-time lawyer, Barrister Deji Adeyanju, have unfollowed each other on Instagram. The move has ignited widespread speculation about possible cracks in their professional and personal relationship.
The development comes at a sensitive moment for the controversial activist, who is currently embroiled in a heated online exchange with Nollywood actress Iyabo Ojo over claims regarding the paternity of late singer Mohbad’s son.
Netizens react to screenshots below Read
The Instagram and X (Twitter) comment sections lit up shortly after news broke of the unfollowing. Many users poked fun at the split and speculated about what might have caused it.
One user joked: “Lawyer don tire for client wey dey act like say na him be the lawyer.”
Another, playing on words, wrote: “You mean Mr Coincidence and his lawyer coincidentally unfollowed each other?”
Some turned the drama into a running gag: “VDM: Iyabo Ojo, tell Nigerians why my lawyer and I unfollowed each other. Tell Nigerians why you let Buhari give up in London. Tell Nigerian women why they menstruate every month. Iyabo Ojo, you are not nice.”
Others didn’t hold back their criticism:
Some commenters even called for legal retaliation: “Let Wumi herself deal with him. Charge him to court for defamation and use Femi Falana as lawyer.”
A few sympathised with Adeyanju’s decision: “For his lawyer to unfollow him… lawyers love trouble, so this kind client don pass limit.”
Others simply mocked the activist’s confidence: “Shey VDM is ‘Mr Know-It-All’? Let him be his own lawyer now.”
And in a more cautionary note, one user warned: “Pikin wey no dey hear word, you leave am, e go stain Deji career wey he don build.”
Screenshots now making rounds on various blogs show that both VDM and Adeyanju no longer appear in each other’s “following” list. Neither party has provided an official explanation, but the timing has raised eyebrows across social media.
The online drama began when Verydarkman accused Iyabo Ojo of misleading Nigerians about the results of a DNA test allegedly conducted on Mohbad’s son. According to VDM, the actress claimed in a group conversation that a private DNA test had already been done using the boy’s grandmother — Mohbad’s mother — as a reference point.
VDM publicly challenged this claim, arguing that it was scientifically questionable to determine paternity using a grandmother’s DNA. His comments drew swift backlash from some quarters, with Iyabo Ojo herself responding in a series of Instagram Stories, posting memes that appeared to mock the activist.
The activist’s falling out — or at least visible social media split — with Adeyanju has prompted waves of online commentary. While some suggest the unfollowing could simply be a disagreement over strategy, others believe it points to deeper frustrations.
One popular reaction on Instagram read: “Lawyer don tire for client wey dey act like say na him be the lawyer.” Another user quipped: “Even lawyers get limit — and this one has reached it.”
Adeyanju’s History with VDM
Barrister Deji Adeyanju, a human rights lawyer and political commentator, has previously represented Verydarkman in multiple legal disputes. He is known for defending high-profile and controversial cases, often involving public figures who court both admiration and criticism.
Their collaboration has been a constant feature in VDM’s public battles, with Adeyanju frequently stepping in to shield the activist from lawsuits over defamation and online commentary.
What Next for VDM?
With his lawyer now seemingly distancing himself, questions remain about who will handle the activist’s legal affairs in future. For a personality as outspoken — and polarising — as Verydarkman, legal backing is often as crucial as public support.
For now, no official statement has been issued by either party, and it remains unclear whether this is a permanent severing of ties or a temporary fallout.
One thing is certain: in Nigeria’s fast-moving social media ecosystem, public perception can shift overnight — and the activist’s next move could determine whether this unfollowing becomes a minor footnote or a major turning point in his career.
