Controversial social media influencer, Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), was on Thursday re-arraigned by the police before a Federal High Court in Abuja on allegations of cyberbullying Nollywood actresses Iyabo Ojo and Tonto Dikeh, as well as producer and singer Samuel Oguachuba, known as Samklef, among others.
VDM appeared before Justice Musa Liman on a five-count charge and pleaded not guilty.
The influencer was initially arraigned on May 22, 2024, before Justice Mobolaji Olajuwon on the same charges under Section 24 of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015. He was remanded but later granted bail on June 10, 2024, with terms including a ₦10 million bond and two sureties, who must be either reputable company employees or Level 17 federal civil servants with evidence of three years’ tax clearance.
Following Justice Olajuwon’s transfer to another division of the Federal High Court, the case (marked FHC/ABJ/CR/140/2024) was reassigned to Justice Liman.
The charges stem from several alleged social media posts made by VDM:
-
Count One: On or about October 13, 2023, he allegedly published a video on Instagram (@verydarkblackman) containing threatening and bullying remarks targeting Samuel Oguachuba.
-
Count Two: On or about October 29, 2023, he reportedly posted offensive, indecent, and obscene content against Iyabo Ojo, including a claim that she was involved in an inappropriate sexual relationship with her daughter.
-
Count Three: On January 19, 2024, he allegedly published a false claim accusing Tonto Dikeh of criminally converting funds from the “Justice for Mobbad” crowdfunding campaign and being behind the Gistlover blog.
-
Count Four: On March 19, 2024, he allegedly posted videos containing insulting and offensive remarks directed at Deputy Inspectors General of Police and National Assembly lawmakers.
Following his re-arraignment, VDM’s counsel, Deji Adeyanju, requested that his client be allowed to continue on the previous bail conditions granted by Justice Olajuwon. The prosecuting counsel, Victor Okoye, did not oppose the request.
Justice Liman upheld the existing bail terms and adjourned the trial to July 24, 2025.
ADEOLA KUNLE
