Social media influencer Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), has been re-arraigned for cyberbullying at a Federal High Court in Abuja, facing fresh charges over alleged online harassment of Iyabo Ojo, Tonto Dikeh, and others.
The charges involve high-profile personalities including Nollywood stars Iyabo Ojo and Tonto Dikeh, as well as music producer Samklef.
VDM appeared before Justice Musa Liman on a five-count charge related to alleged offensive and defamatory content published on his Instagram page. This marks a continuation of legal proceedings initially instituted in 2024, when he was first arraigned before Justice Mobolaji Olajuwon.
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He had pleaded not guilty to all charges and was granted ₦10 million bail with strict surety conditions.
Following Justice Olajuwon’s transfer to another division, the case was reassigned to Justice Liman, prompting Thursday’s re-arraignment. VDM’s counsel, Deji Adeyanju, successfully requested that the bail conditions previously granted be upheld, a position unopposed by police prosecutor Victor Okoye.
The charges stem from a series of Instagram videos posted between October 2023 and March 2024. In one count, VDM allegedly accused Iyabo Ojo of engaging in inappropriate relations with her daughter.
In another, he claimed Tonto Dikeh had criminally diverted funds raised for the “Justice for Mohbad” campaign and was secretly behind the controversial Gistlover blog.
Further charges allege that VDM published threatening and indecent remarks about Samklef, and insulted senior officials including Deputy Inspectors General of Police and members of the National Assembly.
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The prosecution argues that these posts were designed to intimidate and defame, in violation of the Cybercrime Act of 2015.
Justice Liman adjourned the matter to July 24, 2025, for trial. The case continues to spark nationwide debate about the limits of online expression, the rights of public figures, and the enforcement of Nigeria’s cybercrime laws.
