LIVE UPDATES
Controversial social media personality Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), was on Thursday re-arraigned by the Nigerian Police before the Federal High Court in Abuja on a five-count charge of alleged cyberbullying.
VDM is accused of targeting Nollywood actresses Iyabo Ojo and Tonto Dikeh, as well as music producer and singer Samuel Oguachuba, known professionally as Samklef, among others. The case, filed under charge number FHC/ABJ/CR/140/2024, was brought before Justice Musa Liman following the reassignment of the previous trial judge, Justice Mobolaji Olajuwon.
VDM pleaded not guilty to all five charges, which were brought under Section 24 of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015.
According to court filings, the charges stem from a series of videos posted on VDM’s Instagram account (@verydarkblackman) between October 2023 and March 2024. In one count, he is alleged to have posted a video on October 13, 2023, containing threats and harassment directed at Samklef. Another count accuses him of publishing offensive content on October 29, 2023, aimed at Iyabo Ojo, including insinuations about her relationship with her daughter.
The third charge claims VDM falsely accused Tonto Dikeh on January 19, 2024, of misappropriating funds raised during the Justice for Mobbad Movement and being associated with the controversial blog Gistlover. He is also charged with making insulting remarks against high-ranking police officers and members of the National Assembly in a video posted on March 19, 2024.
VDM’s counsel, Deji Adeyanju, urged the court to maintain the bail conditions previously granted by Justice Olajuwon, under which VDM was released on June 10, 2024. The bail, set at ₦10 million, requires two sureties who must be employees of reputable organizations or senior civil servants at Grade Level 17, each with at least three years of tax clearance.
Prosecution counsel Victor Okoye did not oppose the request, and Justice Liman upheld the existing bail terms. The trial was adjourned until July 24, 2025.
VDM has remained a polarizing figure in the Nigerian social media space, with frequent controversies involving public figures and institutions. He has recently made headlines over separate disputes involving GTBank and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
