A bitter dispute over the name “Ratel” has erupted between Nigerian crypto entrepreneur Linus Williams Ifejirika, popularly known as Blord, and activist-influencer Martins Vincent Otse, widely recognized as VeryDarkMan (VDM).
Blord recently trademarked “Ratel” and launched a fintech app under the name, offering services such as airtime, data and bill payments. He has issued a cease-and-desist order through his lawyers, demanding that VDM stop using the word to describe his fanbase. VDM has rejected the order, insisting that “Ratel” belongs to his grassroots movement and cannot be claimed by corporate interests.
The clash has spilled onto social media, where Nigerians are sharply divided. Supporters of Blord argue that trademark law gives him the right to the name, while VDM’s followers accuse Blord of attempting to hijack a cultural identity that predates his registration. “Trademark beats fanbase. VDM should respect the law,” one user posted on X, while another countered, “Blord is trying to steal culture. RATEL was never his. This is corporate bullying.”
Legal experts say Blord’s trademark strengthens his case, but note that VDM could challenge it if he proves prior use tied to his movement. Brand analysts warn that the feud risks diluting the “Ratel” identity, confusing consumers between a fintech product and a social movement.
The controversy has also fueled online satire, with TikTok skits portraying Blord as a corporate shark and VDM as a street general. Stakeholders say the dispute is as much a public relations battle as a legal one, with reputations at stake on both sides.
If VDM ignores the cease-and-desist, Blord may escalate to full litigation. For now, the fight over “Ratel” continues to dominate Nigeria’s digital conversation, raising questions about who truly owns a name that has become both a brand and a movement.
