Again! Police re-arraign VDM over cyberbullying

Police has re-arraigned controversial social media influencer Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, before a Federal High Court in Abuja for allegedly cyberbullying Nollywood actresses, Iyabo Ojo and Tonto Dikeh.

The social activist is also accused of cyberbullying Nigerian producer and singer Samuel Oguachuba, popularly called Samklef, among others.

VDM on Thursday was re-arraigned before Justice Musa Liman on a five-count charge to which he pleaded not guilty.

Recall that VDM was first arraigned on May 22, 2024, before Justice Mobolaji Olajuwon for the same offences, which are 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 ₦10 million on June 10, 2024. 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 re-assigned to Justice Liman following Justice Olajuwon’s transfer to another division of the Federal High Court.

In the first count, VDM is alleged to have, on or about October 13, 2023, intentionally published a video on his Instagram handle (@verydarkblackman) containing threatening and bullying remarks aimed at Samuel Oguachuba.

The second count accuses him of intentionally posting videos on or about October 29, 2023, via his Instagram handle, which contained grossly offensive, indecent, obscene, or menacing information against Iyabo Ojo.

In the video, VDM allegedly claimed that “one Iyabo Ojo is having an indecent sexual relationship with her daughter.”

In the third count, VDM is accused of knowingly publishing a false claim on January 19, 2024, 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 alleges that on March 19, 2024, the defendant intentionally posted videos on his Instagram handle containing insulting and annoying remarks about the Deputy Inspectors General of Police and lawmakers in the National Assembly.

After his re-arraignment before Justice Liman, VDM’s counsel, Deji Adeyanju, requested that his client be allowed to remain on the bail conditions previously granted by Justice Olajuwon.

Police counsel Victor Okoye did not oppose the request.

Justice Liman upheld the earlier bail terms and adjourned the matter until July 24, 2025, for trial.