Nigerian influencer VeryDarkMan appears in court today over allegations of impersonation and unauthorised use of police uniforms in a viral video.

[dropcap]T[/dropcap]oday, Nigerian social media influencer Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), faces court over allegations of impersonating an officer.

The charges relate to a viral video in which VDM appeared in Nigeria Police Force (NPF) uniforms, referring to himself as “CSP VeryDarkMan” and claiming to be Nigeria’s “number one online police officer.”

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His use of official police attire without authorisation has sparked public scrutiny, and the case, led by the FCT Police Command, has quickly gained national attention.

The controversy began when NPF condemned the viral video in a post on X (formerly Twitter), clarifying that Otse’s attire and self-proclaimed title were unauthorised.

The police stressed the importance of safeguarding the integrity of their uniforms and preventing the misuse of official symbols.

The FCT Police Command is now actively managing the prosecution, aiming to reinforce respect for NPF’s symbols and discourage similar acts in future.

As the case unfolds, NPF has encouraged the public to stay informed. In its statement, the Force reiterated its commitment to maintaining the integrity of its uniforms and preventing unauthorised use of police symbols, which it regards as essential to upholding public trust.

The incident escalated earlier in the week when VDM was detained after attending a police summons on Thursday.

His lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, disclosed on X that Otse had responded to similar requests the day prior. Adeyanju emphasised VDM’s cooperative approach, stating,

“Our client has been detained after honouring a police invitation just like yesterday. VDM has consistently reminded us that the Nigerian Police are our friends, even if some feel otherwise.”

The case highlights the impact of social media on public perception of law enforcement, with VDM’s substantial online following sparking conversations around freedom of expression and the boundaries of police representation.

The public remains alert to the proceedings as Otse’s case could set an important precedent for influencer conduct in Nigeria.