Otse shared the roughly three-and-a-half-minute clip on Instagram on Friday, dressed in a traditional black barrister’s gown, white neck tabs, a wig and dark sunglasses.
The video was staged as a mock courtroom proceeding, with the activist humorously presenting himself as a lawyer while making sarcastic references to the criticism surrounding his participation in the NBA conference.
Otse had attended the conference, themed “Be Your Limit,” but his presence generated controversy among some members of the legal profession and other Nigerians, who questioned why a non-lawyer was invited to an event primarily organised for legal practitioners.
The activist, however, defended his invitation, maintaining that his experience and advocacy on insecurity qualified him to contribute to discussions at the conference.
In the latest video, Otse said, “If I may, my lords, since you people decided to ignore all the points I raised at the NBA, all the points I raised about the insecurity, the people benefiting, you people decided to distract yourself by judging me and saying I was not fit to be there because I’m not a lawyer.”
He added, “I’ve been called to bar. So now, you are now my learned colleagues.”
Continuing with the parody, Otse referred to what he jokingly described as “section 343 of the VDM constitution,” stating, “he who price must pay. And if you play, you go and learn.”
He also mocked those who criticised his participation in the conference, insisting that he was qualified to attend because of the subject discussed.
“A large majority of Nigerians believe that I was not supposed to be present at this year’s NBA conference titled Be Your Limit. But my lord, I beg to differ because I am the most qualified, especially because of the topic that was addressed,” he said.
Otse further made a humorous reference to the conference theme as “Non-gun man,” apparently linking it to his previous advocacy and comments concerning insecurity and firearms.
Two other men appeared in the video, whom Otse introduced as his “learned friends”, as the mock legal proceedings continued.
At another point, he pretended to represent a man seeking legal assistance after claiming to have been wrongly profiled. Otse then jokingly rejected the request.
“My lord, I am here to say I will not be representing this madman in court because how can you be looking like this? And you come and meet a noble man like me to represent you,” he said.
The latest video comes amid an ongoing debate over Otse’s participation in the NBA conference.
Senior lawyer Femi Falana had previously criticised the justification for Otse’s invitation, arguing that experience could not replace the professional qualifications required for participation as a speaker at the conference.
Otse has continued to maintain that his invitation was based on his experience and public advocacy, particularly his views on insecurity.
The controversy also came against the backdrop of his claims about insecurity and alleged kidnapping activities involving police officers, following which the Nigeria Police Force invited him for questioning.
Rather than directly respond to the criticism in the latest video, Otse used the lawyer’s outfit, mock courtroom and legal expressions to ridicule the controversy, repeatedly referring to himself and others as “my lord” and “learned colleagues.”
