Social media personality Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), was on Thursday re-arraigned before Justice Musa Liman of the Federal High Court in Abuja on fresh proceedings linked to allegations of cyberbullying prominent Nigerian entertainers.
Otse, who is facing a five-count charge bordering on cyberstalking, pleaded not guilty to all counts. The charges, brought by the office of the Inspector-General of Police, allege that Otse used his social media platforms to harass, defame, and disseminate offensive content targeting Iyabo Ojo, Tonto Dikeh, and music producer Samklef.
The influencer’s legal counsel, Deji Adeyanju, urged the court to retain the previous bail conditions granted to Otse by Justice Mobolaji Olajuwon, who initially handled the case before her transfer to another division. Prosecuting counsel Victor Okoye did not oppose the request, and Justice Liman upheld the existing bail terms.
The court has adjourned the matter until July 24, 2025, for trial.
VDM was first arraigned on May 22, 2024, on the same charges, which fall under Section 24 of the Cybercrime Act, 2015.
Following his remand, he was granted bail on 10 June 2024 to the sum of ₦10 million, with two sureties — either employees of reputable organisations or federal civil servants of not less than Level 17, with evidence of three years’ tax clearance.
However, the case was reassigned to Justice Liman following the transfer of Justice Olajuwon to another division of the Federal High Court.
Count-by-Count Allegations
According to the charge sheet, in Count One, Otse was alleged to have, on or about 13 October 2023, posted a video on his Instagram account (@verydarkblackman) containing threatening and bullying statements directed at Samklef.
In Count Two, he was accused of intentionally posting, on or about 29 October 2023, videos containing offensive, pornographic, indecent, obscene, or menacing content targeting actress Iyabo Ojo.
In the said video, he allegedly claimed that “one Iyabo Ojo is having an indecent sexual relationship with her daughter.”
Count Three alleges that, on or about 19 January 2024, VDM falsely published via Instagram that actress Tonto Dikeh had diverted proceeds from a crowdfunding campaign for the “Justice for Mohbad” movement and that she was the person behind the anonymous blog ‘Gistlover.’
In Count Four, Otse was alleged to have, on or about 19 March 2024, intentionally posted content considered annoying and insulting towards Deputy Inspectors-General of Police and members of the National Assembly.
The trial is expected to begin in July.