Social media activist Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), has called for a thorough investigation into an alleged arrest linked to a viral AI-generated audio recording said to resemble the voice of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on Thursday, June 5, 2026, in Nigeria.
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VDM made the remarks in a video shared online, where he reacted to claims surrounding the circulation of the controversial audio content and the reported involvement of security operatives in the matter.
He alleged that presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga had previously misidentified individuals linked to the spread of the recording, describing the situation as a case of possible wrongful accusation.
The arrest probe became a trending talking point after the activist insisted that security agencies must trace the original source of the content before making arrests or public accusations.
He argued that innocent individuals should not be punished over digital content, especially as artificial intelligence tools continue to complicate information verification across social media platforms.
In the video, he further claimed that an individual identified as Ifechukwu Dennis was being linked to the origin of the audio, urging authorities to verify claims before escalating enforcement actions.
VDM described the situation as troubling and called on the Department of State Services and other security agencies to conduct what he termed a proper and independent investigation.
He also criticised what he perceived as rushed public communication around the case, warning that misinformation could lead to reputational damage for innocent citizens.
The activist said, “The person posted by Mr Bayo Onanuga is innocent,” while maintaining that due process must be followed in handling digital evidence-related cases.
The controversy has sparked mixed reactions online, with users divided over issues of digital accountability, political communication, and the rising use of AI-generated content in Nigeria’s information space.
Some social media users expressed concern over the focus of security agencies, while others insisted that investigations must continue to curb the spread of misleading or manipulated content.
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The development adds to ongoing debates around AI regulation, misinformation, and the responsibility of public officials in verifying sensitive claims before making public statements.
David Okere is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering business, governance, public affairs, and human-interest stories with a commitment to accuracy, balance, and public interest reporting.
