BLord Sparks Debate Using VeryDarkMan’s Image on Billboard for Ratel Pay, VDM Responds
Cryptocurrency entrepreneur Linus Williams Ifejirika, widely known as BLord, has sparked widespread online discussion after using the image of activist and social media critic Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), on a prominent billboard to promote his newly launched Ratel Pay app.
The billboard, which features VDM holding a phone alongside the Ratel Pay branding, has drawn attention and raised questions about whether the image was used with consent. The app, which allows users to purchase gift cards and pay bills, is BLord’s latest business venture, and the billboard marks one of the first major offline promotions for the platform.
BLord shared a celebratory video of the billboard on his Instagram page, describing VDM as his “ambassador,” with the caption:
“MY AMBASSADOR ON THE BILLBOARD FOR THE FIRST TIME !!! SO CUTE, OGENE VIDEO COMING SOON”
While some netizens questioned the legality of using someone else’s image without explicit approval, others praised the marketing strategy as bold and attention-grabbing. Surprisingly, VeryDarkMan did not react negatively. Instead, he framed the exposure as beneficial for his personal brand, highlighting the wider recognition it brought and noting that it indirectly promoted his own work.
“Thank you for promoting my face and the brand ratels……I am grateful ❤️,” VDM commented, acknowledging the billboard as an unexpected advantage rather than a violation.
The interaction was particularly notable given the history between BLord and VDM. Their feud dates back to 2024 when VDM publicly accused BLord of fraudulent cryptocurrency activities. Tensions escalated further in early 2026 during disputes over the trademark rights for the “Ratel” name, creating a tense relationship that frequently played out in the public eye.
BLord has, on multiple occasions, described the controversies surrounding him and VDM as calculated moves to generate attention and maintain visibility for his business ventures. This latest development, however, marks a surprising turn as VDM appears to embrace the publicity rather than condemn it.
The online community quickly reacted to the billboard drama. Social media users expressed mixed opinions:
@zoeymetax: “I hope BLord got VDM’s sign-off before mounting this. We all know VDM doesn’t mind a good fight, but if the ‘Ratel’ trademark isn’t sorted, we might be seeing a ‘Breaking News’ video very soon. Grab your popcorn!”
@NextBigT99: “These 2 people are busy promoting their businesses, we dey here de drag them no go work you hear?”
@GhostOfberlin_: “As dumb as he is… never hear of copyright infringement abi… Using someone’s image without consent for advertising is a civil offense in Nigeria.”
@FavouriteUzi: “Only that banner alone if VDM take him to court it’s an easy win for VDM, but VDM doesn’t sue. Remember PalmPay was sued by Speed Darlington for a similar situation, and it was an easy win because they didn’t get permission.”
@joyce.madueke: “😂😂😂😂😂😂 two of una dey carry us dey go where we know know.”
Adding to BLord’s public attention, he recently disclosed salary information for his company, the BLord Group. According to him, entry-level employees earn a minimum of ₦250,000 monthly, with salaries scaling up to ₦400,000 after three years and ₦500,000 after four years. In 2025 alone, the company disbursed a total of ₦1.1 billion in salaries, paying out approximately ₦90 million monthly to its workforce.
The billboard incident illustrates the blend of entrepreneurship, personal branding, and social media dynamics in Nigeria’s cryptocurrency and tech sector. By leveraging a high-profile figure like VeryDarkMan, BLord has successfully sparked conversations, gaining attention for both his app and his personal brand.
