Social media activist Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, has been remanded in police custody until next Wednesday, May 29, 2024. The Federal High Court in Abuja has charged charged him with five counts of cyberattacks following multiple petitions about his online behavior.
VeryDarkMan, noted for his controversial comments and criticism on social media, was previously arrested in March 2024 for alleged cyberbullying involving Nollywood actresses Iyabo Ojo and Tonto Dikeh . He pleaded not guilty but the court remanded him in custody until the next hearing.
The prosecution requested more time to respond to the bail application, leading to the court’s decision to remand VeryDarkMan. His lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, successfully argued for him to remain in police custody instead of being sent to prison.
This is not VeryDarkMan’s first legal trouble. In January 2024, he was arrested after actress Tonto Dikeh petitioned over comments he made regarding the case of late Nigerian singer Mohbad, accusing Dikeh and her colleagues is Iyabo Ojo about “chase power” with the death of the male singer.
The court’s decision to remand VeryDarkMan has sparked discussion online, with many questioning the severity of his bail conditions. His lawyer claims the conditions are strict, including securing two high-ranking government officials as guarantors. However, the release was delayed due to lack of “top officials” to sign the papers.
The situation has also sparked a debate about social media activity and the line between free speech and cyberbullying. VeryDarkMan’s case highlights the legal consequences that can arise from online actions.
