In the latest twist shaking Nigeria's online scene, social media activist VeryDarkMan (real name Martins Vincent Otse) appears to have outmaneuvered entrepreneur Blord (Linus Williams Ifejirika) in a heated battle over the "Ratel" name.
The drama ignited on January 18, 2026, when Blord launched his new fintech app called RATEL, a platform for buying gift cards, airtime, paying bills, and crypto swaps. He quickly claimed to have trademarked the name and issued a cease-and-desist letter through his lawyer (a Senior Advocate of Nigeria), demanding VeryDarkMan stop using "Ratel" without permission. Blord insisted the term now belonged exclusively to his brand.
VeryDarkMan wasted no time firing back. On January 20, 2026, he shared documents proving he filed for trademarks on "Ratel", "The Ratel", and "Ratel Gang" as far back as September 25, 2024 months before Blord's app debut. In a viral video, he mocked the move, calling it "dumb" and demanding Blord produce his own certificate. He emphasized that "Ratel" represents a cultural movement tied to his loyal fans, not just paperwork.
Faced with mounting backlash, Blord withdrew the cease-and-desist after "high-level calls" and quietly renamed his app to "Ratels" (plural). VeryDarkMan later expressed appreciation for the gesture, admitting he initially "messed up" on timing but denying any tribal bias.
Legal experts note Nigeria operates a first-to-file trademark system, giving VeryDarkMan an edge. However, trademarks are class-specific, one for fan movements, another for fintech, so coexistence is possible.
The saga blends business rivalry, online drama, and a timely reminder: in Nigeria's fast-growing creator economy, protecting intellectual property early can make all the difference.
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