By Ayomide Otitoju
Social media influencer Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), was on Tuesday re-arraigned before Justice Musa Liman of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on a five-count charge bordering on cyberstalking and the dissemination of offensive content.
The charges, brought by the office of the Inspector-General of Police, allege that Otse cyberbullied Nollywood actresses Iyabo Ojo and Tonto Dikeh, as well as music producer Samuel ‘Samklef’ Oguachuba, through posts made on his Instagram account, @verydarkblackman.
Otse pleaded not guilty to all charges.
His lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, requested that the court allow his client to remain on the bail terms previously granted by Justice Mobolaji Olajuwon on June 10, 2024. Prosecuting counsel Victor Okoye did not oppose the application.
Justice Liman granted the request and adjourned the case until July 24, 2025, for trial.
The defendant was initially arraigned on May 22 before Justice Olajuwon on the same charges, filed under Section 24 of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015. Following his remand, he was granted bail in the sum of ₦10 million, with two sureties who must be senior federal civil servants or employees of reputable organisations, each with evidence of three years’ tax clearance.
The case was reassigned to Justice Liman after Justice Olajuwon was transferred to another division.
According to the charge sheet:
Count One alleges that on October 13, 2023, Otse posted a video containing threats and bullying remarks directed at Samklef.
Count Two claims that on October 29, 2023, he uploaded videos containing indecent and offensive content about actress Iyabo Ojo, including an allegation of an inappropriate relationship with her daughter.
Count Three accuses him of falsely claiming on January 19, 2024, that Tonto Dikeh diverted funds from a crowdfunding campaign for the “Justice for Mohbad” movement and was the anonymous figure behind the blog ‘Gistlover.’
Count Four concerns a March 19, 2024, post allegedly insulting members of the National Assembly and Deputy Inspectors-General of Police.
Otse continues to maintain his innocence as the trial date approaches.
