Social media activist Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), has alleged that some government officials use the cattle trade to divert and conceal public funds.

VDM made the claim on Tuesday while speaking at the 2026 Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Annual General Conference in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

According to him, many Nigerians do not realise what he described as an alleged method of laundering public money through the livestock business.

He claimed that the high value of cattle makes the sector attractive for people seeking to hide or move large sums of money.

“If you go around our country, you will see cows moving around in the streets and wonder why there are so many. That is money laundering,” VDM alleged.

He further claimed that a large herd of cattle could be worth billions of naira, making it possible for stolen funds to be invested in livestock.

VDM also alleged, without providing evidence, that the government has been reluctant to fully enforce ranching because of vested interests linked to the cattle business.

The activist did not present documentary evidence to support his allegations, and no government official or agency was identified or responded to the claims during his remarks at the conference.