Social media influencer Martins Otse, also known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), was re-arraigned by the Inspector-General of Police before Federal High Court Justice Musa Liman in Abuja on charges of cyberbullying music producer Samuel “Samklef” Oguachuba, actors Iyabo Ojo and Tonto Dikeh.
He was re-arraigned on a five-count charge that included allegedly spreading inflammatory content on his social media platforms and engaging in cyberstalking.
On a five-count accusation pertaining to cyberstalking and the purported distribution of offensive content via his social media accounts, Otse was re-arraigned. However, he entered a not guilty plea to every accusation.
Deji Adeyanju, his attorney, asked the court to permit the defendant to remain on the previous bail that sister court Justice Mobolaji Olajuwon had granted.
Victor Okoye, the Inspector-General of Police’s prosecutor, did not object to the application.
After that, Justice Liman granted the defendant the same bail conditions and postponed the case to July 24, 2025, when the trial would start.
In accordance with Section 24 of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015, VDM was first charged with the same charges before Justice Olajuwon on May 22, 2024.
After being remanded, he was released on ₦10 million bail on June 10, 2024, with two sureties who were either federal civil officers with at least Level 17 or employees of respectable companies and could provide proof of three years’ tax clearance.
However, after Justice Olajuwon was moved to a different Federal High Court division, the matter was reallocated to Justice Liman.
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.
