Martins Otse, a controversial social media influencer and self-acclaimed activist popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), was re-arraigned before a Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday by the police for allegedly cyberbullying Nollywood actresses Iyabo Ojo and Tonto Dikeh.
Persecondnews reports that he is also accused of cyberbullying Nigerian producer and singer Samuel Oguachuba, popularly known as Samklef, among others.
VDM was re-arraigned before Justice Musa Liman on a five-count charge to which he pleaded not guilty.
Persecondnews recalls that VDM was first arraigned on May 22, 2024, before Justice Mobolaji Olajuwon for the same offences, which are contrary to and punishable under Section 24 of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015.
Following his remand, he was granted N10 million bail on June 10, 2024, with conditions requiring two sureties—either Level 17 federal civil servants or employees of reputable companies—providing evidence of three years’ tax clearance.
The suit no. FHC/ABJ/CR/140/2024 and dated March 28, 2024, was re-assigned to Justice Liman after Justice Olajuwon’s transfer to another Federal High Court division.
In the first count, VDM is alleged to have, on or about October 13, 2023, intentionally published a video on his Instagram handle (@verydarkblackman) containing threatening and bullying remarks aimed at Samuel Oguachuba.
The second count accuses him of intentionally posting videos on or about October 29, 2023, via his Instagram handle, which contained grossly offensive, indecent, obscene, or menacing information against Iyabo Ojo.
In the video, VDM allegedly claimed that “one Iyabo Ojo is having an indecent sexual relationship with her daughter.”
In the third count, VDM is accused of knowingly publishing a false claim on January 19, 2024, that “King Tonto Dikeh is involved in the criminal conversion of the proceeds from the crowdfunding for the Justice for Mobbad Movement and is the person behind the Gistlover blog.”
The fourth count alleges that on March 19, 2024, the defendant intentionally posted videos on his Instagram handle containing insulting and annoying remarks about the Deputy Inspectors General of Police and lawmakers in the National Assembly.
Following his re-arraignment before Justice Liman, his lawyer, Mr. Deji Adeyanju, requested that his client be allowed to continue on the bail conditions previously granted by Justice Olajuwon.
Police counsel Victor Okoye raised no opposition to the request.
The court upheld the previous bail terms and adjourned the case until July 24, 2025, for trial.
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