The Nigeria Police on Thursday re-arraigned social media personality Martins Otse, widely known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), before the Federal High Court in Abuja on charges of alleged cyberbullying targeting Nollywood actresses Iyabo Ojo and Tonto Dikeh, as well as music producer Samuel Oguachuba (Samklef), among others.
VDM was brought before Justice Musa Liman on a five-count charge, to which he entered a plea of not guilty.
He was initially arraigned on May 22, 2024, before Justice Mobolaji Olajuwon for the same offences, which fall under Section 24 of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015.
Following his remand, VDM was granted bail on June 10, 2024, in the sum of ₦10 million, with two sureties required to be either employees of reputable organizations or federal civil servants of not less than Level 17, with proof of three years’ tax clearance.
The case, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/140/2024 and filed on March 28, 2024, was reassigned to Justice Liman after Justice Olajuwon was transferred to another division.
In Count One, Otse is accused of deliberately sharing a video on October 13, 2023, via his Instagram account (@verydarkblackman), allegedly containing threatening and bullying remarks toward Samklef.
Count Two concerns a video he reportedly posted on October 29, 2023, said to include grossly offensive and indecent statements about Iyabo Ojo, in which he allegedly stated that “one Iyabo Ojo is having an indecent sexual relationship with her daughter.”
Count Three alleges that on January 19, 2024, Otse falsely claimed that “King Tonto Dikeh is involved in the criminal conversion of the proceeds from the crowdfunding for the Justice for Mobbad Movement and is the person behind the Gistlover blog.”
In Count Four, he is accused of posting content on March 19, 2024, said to contain insulting and provocative remarks about Deputy Inspectors-General of Police and members of the National Assembly.
VDM’s lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, asked the court to allow his client to continue under the original bail terms. The prosecuting counsel, Victor Okoye, raised no objection.
Justice Liman granted the request and adjourned proceedings until July 24, 2025, for the trial to commence.
What you should know
Martins Otse, known online as VeryDarkMan, faces cybercrime allegations tied to controversial social media content directed at celebrities and public officials. His case raises broader questions about freedom of expression and the legal limits of digital speech in Nigeria.
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