The Nigeria Police Force on Thursday re-arraigned controversial social media influencer, Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), before a Federal High Court in Abuja on charges of alleged cyberbullying targeted at Nollywood actresses Iyabo Ojo, Tonto Dikeh, and music producer Samklef.
Otse was re-arraigned before Justice Musa Liman on a five-count charge bordering on cyberstalking, harassment, and the dissemination of offensive content online. He pleaded not guilty to all the charges.
The re-arraignment follows a transfer of the case from Justice Mobolaji Olajuwon, who had earlier handled the case when it was first brought to court in May 2024. The case is now marked FHC/ABJ/CR/140/2024.
VDM, who was first arraigned on May 22, 2024, was accused of violating Section 24 of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015, by posting threatening, false, and obscene content via his Instagram handle (@verydarkblackman).
The first charge alleges that on October 13, 2023, he intentionally uploaded a video containing threatening and bullying remarks against music producer Samuel Oguachuba, widely known as Samklef.
The second count concerns a video posted on October 29, 2023, in which VDM allegedly made grossly offensive and indecent claims about actress Iyabo Ojo, including a claim of an “indecent sexual relationship with her daughter.”
In the third charge, he is accused of spreading false information on January 19, 2024, claiming that Tonto Dikeh diverted funds from the Justice for Mobbad crowdfunding initiative and was secretly behind the controversial gossip blog Gistlover.
The fourth count alleges that on March 19, 2024, he released videos insulting Deputy Inspectors General of Police and members of the National Assembly.
Following the re-arraignment, VDM’s counsel, Deji Adeyanju, requested that his client continue under the bail terms previously granted by Justice Olajuwon—₦10 million with two sureties who are either senior federal civil servants or employees of reputable firms with verifiable tax clearance.
Prosecuting counsel Victor Okoye did not oppose the request, and Justice Liman upheld the existing bail conditions.
The matter was adjourned until July 24, 2025, for the commencement of trial.
