Nigerian social media influencer Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), has been re-arraigned by the Nigeria Police Force on a five-count charge of cyberbullying and cyberstalking. The charges involve alleged online harassment of Nollywood actresses Iyabo Ojo and Tonto Dikeh, as well as other public figures. VDM pleaded not guilty to all counts during his appearance before Justice Musa Liman at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The prosecution alleges that VDM posted videos on his Instagram handle containing offensive and false information. One count accuses him of falsely alleging that Iyabo Ojo had an indecent relationship with her daughter. Another count claims he accused Tonto Dikeh of misappropriating funds from a crowdfunding campaign and being behind a controversial gossip blog. Additional charges involve allegations that he made defamatory statements about high-ranking police officers and senators.
VDM’s lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, applied for bail, arguing that the charges are bailable offenses and that his client should enjoy the presumption of innocence. However, the prosecution requested more time to respond, leading the court to adjourn the bail hearing to May 29, 2024. In the meantime, the court ordered that VDM be remanded in police custody at the National Cybercrime Centre.
This case has sparked public debate about freedom of speech and the use of cybercrime laws in Nigeria. Some activists argue that the charges against VDM may be an attempt to suppress dissenting voices online. The outcome of the upcoming bail hearing and subsequent trial will be closely watched by supporters and critics alike.#newsafro_
