The Inspector-General of Police (IGP) on Thursday re-arraigned social media personality Martins Otse, widely known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), on charges of cyberbullying actresses Iyabo Ojo and Tonto Dikeh, as well as singer and producer Samuel Oguachuba (Samklef), among others.
VDM was brought before Justice Musa Liman of the Federal High Court in Abuja to face a five-count charge, to which he pleaded not guilty.
His legal representative, Deji Adeyanju, requested the court to allow VDM to remain under the bail conditions previously granted by Justice Mobolaji Olajuwon of a different division of the same court.
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The counsel for the IGP, Victor Okoye, did not object to this request. Consequently, Justice Liman upheld the previous bail terms and adjourned the trial until July 24.
VDM had initially been arraigned before Justice Olajuwon on May 22, 2024, for the same offenses, which are contrary to and punishable under Section 24 of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015. He was initially remanded in custody but was granted bail of ₦10 million on June 10, 2024, with specific conditions for his sureties.
The case, initially marked FHC/ABJ/CR/140/2024 and dated March 28, 2024, was reassigned to Justice Liman following Justice Olajuwon’s transfer to another division of the Federal High Court.
The charges against VDM include allegations that he, around October 13, 2023, intentionally posted a video on his Instagram handle (@verydarkblackman) containing threatening and bullying words aimed at Samuel Oguachuba.
Another count alleges that around October 29, 2023, he intentionally posted videos on his Instagram containing grossly offensive, indecent, obscene, or menacing information against Iyabo Ojo, including a false claim about her relationship with her daughter.
VDM is also accused of falsely publishing on January 19, 2024, that Tonto Dikeh was involved in the criminal conversion of crowdfunding proceeds for the Justice for Mohbad Movement and was behind the Gistlover blog.
The fourth count alleges that on March 19, 2024, he intentionally posted videos on his Instagram handle containing insulting and annoying remarks about Deputy Inspectors General (DIGs) of Police and members of the National Assembly.
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