Social Media Influencer VeryDarkMan Re-arraigned Over Cyberbullying Charges
Social Media Influencer VeryDarkMan Re-arraigned Over Cyberbullying Charges
Social media personality Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), has been re-arraigned before Justice Musa Liman at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The re-arraignment follows allegations of cyberbullying directed at actresses Iyabo Ojo and Tonto Dikeh, as well as music producer Samuel ‘Samklef’ Oguachuba.
VeryDarkMan faces a five-count charge related to cyberstalking and the alleged distribution of offensive content via his social media platforms. He pleaded not guilty to all charges.
His Counsel, Deji Adeyanju, requested that the court allow his client to remain on the bail terms previously granted by Justice Mobolaji Olajuwon of a sister court.
The request went unopposed by the prosecution, led by Victor Okoye on behalf of the Inspector-General of Police.
Justice Musa Liman granted the application, affirming the existing bail conditions, and adjourned the case to July 24, 2025, for the start of trial proceedings.
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.
Source: Channelstv
