Social media influencer and activist, Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), was on Thursday re-arraigned before a Federal High Court in Abuja on fresh charges of cyberbullying Nollywood stars Iyabo Ojo and Tonto Dikeh, among other high-profile individuals.
The Nigeria Police, who filed the case, also accused VDM of targeting music producer Samuel Oguachuba, better known as Samklef, through offensive and defamatory online content.
Appearing before Justice Musa Liman, VDM pleaded not guilty to the five-count charge brought against him. The charges are based on alleged violations of Section 24 of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015.
This re-arraignment follows the reassignment of the case from Justice Mobolaji Olajuwon, who had earlier presided over VDM's initial arraignment on May 22, 2024, before being transferred to another judicial division.
VDM was previously granted bail on June 10, 2024, in the sum of N10 million, with stringent conditions requiring two sureties who are either senior civil servants or employees of reputable organizations, each with verifiable tax records for three years.
According to the revised charge sheet (FHC/ABJ/CR/140/2024), the first count alleges that on or around October 13, 2023, VDM posted a video via Instagram in which he allegedly made bullying and threatening remarks directed at Samklef.
In the second count, dated October 29, 2023, VDM is accused of publishing grossly offensive and indecent content about actress Iyabo Ojo, including a claim that she was involved in an inappropriate relationship with her daughter.
The third count relates to a January 19, 2024, post in which VDM reportedly accused actress Tonto Dikeh of misappropriating funds raised during the “Justice for Mohbad” campaign and alleged she was the face behind the anonymous Gistlover blog.
The fourth charge claims that VDM released a video on March 19, 2024, containing derogatory remarks aimed at senior police officers and members of the National Assembly.
VDM's legal counsel, Deji Adeyanju, requested that his client be allowed to remain on the previous bail terms. The prosecution, led by Victor Okoye, raised no objection.
Justice Liman granted the request and adjourned the case to July 24, 2025, for the commencement of trial.
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