The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) on Thursday re-arraign controversial social media influencer and activist, Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM) at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The social media critic was brought before Justice Musa Liman on five count charges of cyberbullying Nollywood actresses and other celebrities.
It would be recalled that VDM was initially arraigned on before Justice Mobolaji Olajuwon on Wednesday, May 22, 2024 for the same charges, which fall under Section 24 of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015, and had been remanded, but was later granted bail on Monday, June 10, 2024, set at N10 million.
The case, filed with number FHC/ABJ/CR/140/2024 and submitted on Thursday, March 28, 2024, was reassigned to Justice Liman after Justice Olajuwon was transferred to another division.
In the first count, the social media critic posted a video on Instagram (@verydarkblackman) on Friday October 13, 2023, containing threats and harassment toward Samklef.
The second count claimed that VDM shared videos on Sunday, October 29, 2023, which included vulgar and offensive content targeted at Iyabo Ojo.
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In one of the videos he accused her of having an inappropriate relationship with her daughter.
The third count stated that on Friday, January 19, 2024 VDM falsely claimed that Tonto Dikeh misused funds raised for the ‘Justice for Mobbad’ campaign and accused her of running the Gistlover blog.
The fourth count stated that VDM posted content on Tuesday, March 19, 2024, insulting Deputy Inspectors General of Police and National Assembly lawmakers.
However, he pleaded not guilty to all of the charges levelled against him. VDM’s lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, asked the court to allow his client to remain on the previously granted bail.
Police prosecutor Victor Okoye did not object.
Justice Liman agreed to maintain the existing bail conditions and set July 24, 2025, for trial.
