Controversial social media personality, Martins Otse, widely known as VeryDarkMan, was re-arraigned on Thursday before a Federal High Court in Abuja over allegations of cyberbullying Nollywood stars Iyabo Ojo, Tonto Dikeh, and music producer Samuel Oguachuba, popularly known as Samklef.
VDM, a self-styled social critic, appeared before Justice Musa Liman on a five-count charge, to which he entered a plea of not guilty.
This marks a continuation of his legal battle, having first been arraigned for the same offences on May 22, 2024, before Justice Mobolaji Olajuwon.
The charges, which fall under Section 24 of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015, were reassigned to Justice Liman after Justice Olajuwon’s transfer to another division of the court.
Following his initial arraignment, VDM was remanded in custody but was later granted bail on June 10, 2024.
The bail, set at ₦10 million, required two sureties who must either be Level 17 officers in the federal civil service or employees of reputable companies, backed with evidence of three years’ tax payments.
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In the first charge, VDM is alleged to have, on or around October 13, 2023, posted a video on his Instagram page (@verydarkblackman) containing “threatening and bullying remarks” directed at Samklef.
The second count alleges that on or about October 29, 2023, VDM shared content described as “grossly offensive, indecent, obscene, or menacing” targeting actress Iyabo Ojo. In the video, he reportedly claimed that “one Iyabo Ojo is having an indecent sexual relationship with her daughter.”
In the third count, dated January 19, 2024, VDM is accused of spreading false information by alleging 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 focuses on a video posted on March 19, 2024, where VDM allegedly made “insulting and annoying” remarks about Deputy Inspectors General of Police and members of the National Assembly.
At the court hearing, VDM’s lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, appealed for the continuation of the bail terms previously granted, a request that was not contested by police prosecutor Victor Okoye.
Justice Liman granted the request and adjourned the case to July 24, 2025, for the commencement of trial.