Social media personality Martin Otse, widely known as VeryDarkMan, was brought before a federal high court in Abuja on Thursday for a re-arraignment related to accusations of cyberbullying. This development follows an earlier arraignment last year where VeryDarkMan faced five counts of cyberstalking based on petitions filed by actresses Iyabo Ojo, Tonto Dikeh, and music producer Samuel Oguachuba (Samklef).
One of the initial charges alleged that VeryDarkMan posted videos on his Instagram account containing content deemed “grossly offensive, pornographic or of an indecent, obscene or menacing character.”
Another charge stated that the defendant alleged Ojo was involved in an inappropriate sexual relationship with her daughter. Additionally, police claimed VeryDarkMan asserted that Dikeh was the individual behind the gossip blog Gistlover.
However, the social media figure had previously pleaded not guilty to all charges and was granted bail on June 10, 2024.
On Thursday, VeryDarkMan appeared before the presiding judge, Musa Liman, and once again entered a plea of not guilty to all charges. His legal representative, Deji Adeyanju, requested the court to allow his client to remain under the previously granted bail terms issued by Justice Mobolaji Olajuwon of a different court.
The prosecution, led by Victor Okoye, representing the inspector-general of police, did not object to the bail application.
Justice Liman granted the request and adjourned the case until July 24, 2025, for the trial to commence.
EFCC Indicates VeryDarkMan Arraignment Pending Charge Finalization
Meanwhile, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has announced that VeryDarkMan will be formally arraigned once the charges against him are finalized. In a recent interview with News Central, EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale clarified that the agency is still in the process of preparing charges against the 31-year-old social media critic.
“We should understand that the Economic and Financial Crime Commission has the authority to initiate an investigation into any petition brought against any Nigerian citizen. The case of Martin Vincent Otse is no different. He is a suspect, like any other suspect. We had reason to invite him and arrest him based on multiple petitions before the commission. Subsequently, we invited and interrogated him,” Oyewale stated.
“We offered him bail conditions, which he met, and he was released. Once his charges are ready, we will file them before the court, and he will be arraigned. There are no charges formally filed yet. There are ongoing processes and procedures.
“Let’s not get ahead of ourselves. When the charges are finalized, filed in court, and he is arraigned, it will become a public record, and everyone will have access to it. There’s no point in speculating.” When questioned about whether the agency is in possession of VeryDarkMan’s mobile phone, Oyewale responded, “That is not a matter for public discussion on national television.”
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