The Nigeria Police Force has re-arraigned social media activist Martins Otse, known as VeryDarkMan, before a Federal High Court in Abuja for allegedly cyberbullying Nollywood actresses Iyabo Ojo and Tonto Dikeh, and others
[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he Nigeria Police Force has re-arraigned controversial social media activist, Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, before a Federal High Court in Abuja for allegedly cyberbullying Nollywood actresses, Iyabo Ojo and Tonto Dikeh.
Also read: VeryDarkMan released on bail after five days in EFCC custody
VeryDarkMan was re-arraigned on Thursday, May 15, 2025, before Justice Musa Liman on a five-count charge. He pleaded not guilty to all the allegations brought against him.
The police also accused him of cyberbullying Nigerian music producer and singer Samuel Oguachuba, popularly known as Samklef, among others.
This comes a few days after VeryDarkMan was released by the Economics Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) after being detained for alleged fraud.
VDM was first arraigned on May 22, 2024, before Justice Mobolaji Olajuwon for the same offences, which are said to be contrary to and punishable under Section 24 of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015.
He was remanded in custody but later granted bail of N10 million on June 10, 2024.
VeryDarkMan was re-arraigned on Thursday, May 15, 2025, before Justice Musa Liman on a five-count charge. He pleaded not guilty to all the allegations brought against him.
The bail conditions required two sureties who must either be employees of a reputable company or Level 17 officers in the federal civil service with evidence of three years’ tax clearance.
The charges, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/140/2024, dated and filed on March 28, 2024, were reassigned to Justice Liman following Justice Olajuwon’s transfer to another division of the Federal High Court.
In the first count, VDM is accused of intentionally posting a video on his Instagram handle (@verydarkblackman) around October 13, 2023, containing threatening and bullying remarks directed at Samuel Oguachuba.
The second count alleges that on or about October 29, 2023, he published videos deemed grossly offensive, indecent, obscene, or menacing, targeting actress Iyabo Ojo.
In one of the videos, he allegedly claimed that “one Iyabo Ojo is having an indecent sexual relationship with her daughter.”
In the third count, VDM is charged with knowingly spreading false information on January 19, 2024, alleging that “King Tonto Dikeh is involved in the criminal conversion of funds raised for the Justice for Mohbad Movement and is the person behind the Gistlover blog.”
The fourth count claims that on March 19, 2024, he intentionally shared videos on Instagram containing insulting and annoying remarks about Deputy Inspectors General of Police and members of the National Assembly.
Following his re-arraignment before Justice Liman, VDM’s lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, requested that his client be allowed to remain on the bail conditions earlier granted by Justice Olajuwon.
Also read: VeryDarkMan faces court over defamation lawsuit filed by Femi Falana and son Falz
Justice Liman agreed to maintain the existing bail terms after the police prosecutor, Victor Okoye, did not object. The judge subsequently adjourned the trial to July 24, 2025.
Peculiar Adirika is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering news, business, and public affairs.
