A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the remand of social media influencer and blogger Martins Vincent Otse, known online as VeryDarkMan, in police custody. The court decision followed the police’s challenge to his bail application.
VeryDarkMan was arraigned on five counts of cyberstalking. Justice Mobolaji Olajuwon, presiding over the case, adjourned the hearing to next Wednesday, May 29, 2024, after the police requested more time to respond to the bail application.
The police prosecution initially sought to have the blogger remanded in prison, but his defence team successfully argued for his detention at the National Cybercrime Centre.
The charges against Otse include allegations of posting offensive and false information on his Instagram handle “Verydarkblackman.”
Specific charges include:
- Posting a video on October 29, 2023, claiming that actress Iyabo Ojo was having an indecent relationship with her daughter, violating Section 24 (1)(a) of the Cybercrime Act, 2015.
- Publishing false information on January 19, 2024, alleging that King Tonto Dikeh was involved in criminal activities related to crowdfunding for the “Justice for Mohbad” movement, violating Section 24 (1)(b) of the Cybercrime Act, 2015.
- Posting a video on March 19, 2024, accusing high-ranking police officials and senators of having inappropriate relations with Bobrisky, aiming to cause public annoyance and injury, also under Section 24 (1)(b) of the Cybercrime Act, 2015.
- Further allegations on March 19, 2024, about Bobrisky allegedly pimping young boys for senior officials, which also fall under Section 24 (1)(b) of the Cybercrime Act, 2015.
