Martins Otse, better known to his online followers as VeryDarkMan, was dragged back to the Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday, May 15, 2025, where he faced a fresh five count charge related to alleged cyberbullying. The social media commentator entered a not guilty plea to every count brought by the Nigerian police.
This new legal assault comes only days after the activist was freed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which had earlier detained him on separate fraud related suspicions. Many see this renewed prosecution as a continued crackdown on voices critical of the state.
The police are accusing Otse of launching targeted cyberattacks against celebrities including Nollywood actresses Iyabo Ojo and Tonto Dikeh, as well as music producer Samklef.
VDM, as he’s popularly called, was originally arraigned in May 2024 before Justice Mobolaji Olajuwon. After a transfer of the judge, the case was reassigned and he is now being tried under Justice Musa Liman. The charges are anchored on alleged violations of Section 24 of the Cybercrime Act of 2015.
Among the accusations: Otse is said to have uploaded videos between October 2023 and March 2024 that the state claims were offensive, false, or threatening in nature.
In one charge, the prosecution says he accused Ojo of “having an indecent sexual relationship with her daughter.” Another video reportedly suggested 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.”
He’s also being accused of sharing disparaging comments about senior police officials and members of the National Assembly in a post dated March 19, 2024.
Despite the charges, Otse’s legal team, led by human rights lawyer Deji Adeyanju, asked the court to maintain the previous bail conditions set by Justice Olajuwon. The police did not oppose the request, and Justice Liman allowed Otse to remain free under those terms, which include a N10 million bond and two sureties with verified tax records and official employment status.
The matter was adjourned till July 24, 2025.
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