VeryDarkMan re-arraigned for ‘cyberbullying’ Iyabo Ojo, Tonto Dikeh, others

The Nigeria Police Force on Thursday re-arraigned Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), before a Federal High Court in Abuja.

He is facing charges of allegedly cyberbullying Nollywood actresses Iyabo Ojo and Tonto Dikeh.

The activist is also accused of targeting Nigerian music producer and singer Samuel Oguachuba, popularly known as Samklef, among others.

VDM appeared before Justice Musa Liman, where he was re-arraigned on a five-count charge.

He pleaded not guilty to all the allegations.

It will be recalled that VDM was first arraigned on May 22, 2024, before Justice Mobolaji Olajuwon on the same charges, brought under Section 24 of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015.

He was initially remanded in custody but was later granted ₦10 million bail on June 10, 2024. The bail required two sureties who must either work for a reputable company or be Level 17 officers in the federal civil service with proof of three years’ tax clearance.

The charges, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/140/2024, were dated and filed on March 28, 2024, and re-assigned to Justice Liman following Justice Olajuwon’s transfer to another division of the court.

In the first count, VDM is accused of intentionally posting a video on October 13, 2023, via his Instagram handle (@verydarkblackman), which allegedly contained threatening and bullying remarks directed at Samuel Oguachuba.

In the second count, he allegedly published videos on October 29, 2023, deemed grossly offensive, indecent, obscene, or menacing, specifically targeting Iyabo Ojo.

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

The third count involves an accusation that, on January 19, 2024, VDM knowingly published a false claim 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 posted videos containing insulting and annoying remarks about the Deputy Inspectors General of Police and members of the National Assembly.

Following his re-arraignment, VDM’s lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, requested that the bail previously granted by Justice Olajuwon be upheld. The police prosecutor, Victor Okoye, did not object.

Justice Liman accepted the request and affirmed the existing bail terms, subsequently adjourning the case to July 24, 2025, for trial.