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Cybercrime: Court orders remand of social media influencer VeryDarkMan

Published

1 month ago

May 22, 2024

Martins Vincent Otse, widely known as Verydarkman

Cybercrime: Court orders remand of social media influencer VeryDarkMan

In a recent ruling by the Federal High Court in Abuja, social media influencer and blogger Martins Vincent Otse, widely known as Verydarkman, has been remanded in police custody.

The decision came after the police opposed his bail application.

According to documents obtained by platinumpost, Verydarkman faces five counts of cyberstalking. The arraignment has garnered significant attention, highlighting the ongoing issues related to online conduct and legal boundaries.

The case has been adjourned until next Wednesday, May 29, 2024. During the hearing, the police prosecuting team requested additional time to respond to the bail application, a request that was granted by Justice Mobolaji Olajuwon.

While the prosecution sought to have Verydarkman remanded in prison custody, his defense team successfully argued for his detention in police custody instead. Consequently, he has been placed at the National Cybercrime Centre until the next court date.

This case underscores the growing scrutiny of social media activities and the legal implications of digital communications in Nigeria. Further updates are expected as the case progresses.

Some of the charges read, “That you Martins Vincent Otse (A.K.A. VERYDARKBLACKMAN) ‘M’, 29 YRS of Supreme Court Estate Karu, Abuja on or about 29th October, 2023, in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court knowingly and intentionally posted videos, by means of computer system on your Instagram handles ‘verydarkblackman’, which video contained information that is grossly offensive, pornographic or of an indecent, obscene or menacing character wherein you stated that one Iyabo Ojo is having indecent sexual relationship with her daughter knowing or having reasons to believe that the information in the video you posted on your Instagram handle is false and you thereby committed the offence of Cyberstalking contrary to and punishable under section 24 (1)(a) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) ACT, 2015.

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“COUNT 3 That you Martins Vincent Otse (A.K.A. VERYDARKBLACKMAN) ‘M’, 29 YRS of Supreme Court Estate Karu, Abuja on or about 19th January, 2024, in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court knowingly and intentionally posted videos, by means of computer system on your Instagram handles ‘verydarkblackman’ containing information you know or had reasons believe to be false, wherein in the video you falsely published that King Tonto Dikeh is accused of criminal conversion of the proceeds of crowd funding for Justice for Mohbad Movement, and being the person behind the gistlover blog, for the purpose of causing annoyance, inconvenience, danger, obstruction, insult, injury, criminal intimidation, enmity, hatred, ill will or needless anxiety to the person of the said King Tonto Dike and you thereby committed the offence of Cyberstalking contrary to and punishable under section 24 (1)(b) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) ACT, 2015.

“COUNT 4 That you Martins Vincent Otse (A.K.A. VERYDARKBLACKMAN) ‘M’, 29 YRS of Supreme Court Estate Karu, Abuja on or about 19th March, 2024, in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court knowingly and intentionally posted videos, by means of computer system on your Instagram handle ‘verydarkblackman’, containing information which you know or had reasons to believe to be false, wherein you stated the following, ‘I put it to you say the DIGs of the Police dem dey knack Bobrisky. The senators for senate house dey knack Bobrisky…I dare the Nigeria Police, I said what I said, the DIGs are knacking him, the Law makers, the Senate are knacking him in the National Assembly’ which statement you made for the purpose of causing annoyance, inconvenience, danger, insult, injury, criminal intimidation, enmity, hatred, ill will or needless anxiety to the persons of the DIGs of the Nigeria Police Force and members of the National Assembly and you thereby committed the offence of Cyberstalking contrary to and punishable under section 24 (1)(b) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) ACT, 2015.

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“COUNT 5 That you Martins Vincent Otse (A.K.A. VERYDARKBLACKMAN) ‘M’, 29 YRS of Supreme Court Estate Karu, Abuja on or about 19th March, 2024, in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court knowingly and intentionally posted videos, by means of computer system on your Instagram handles ‘verydarkblackman’ containing information you know or had reasons to believe to be false, wherein you stated that Bobrisky is pimping young boys for Senators and Senior Police Officers to sleep with, which statement you made for the purpose of causing annoyance, inconvenience, danger, insult, injury.”

Recently, VeryDarkMan had condemned the Nigerian police for not arresting controversial cross-dresser Idris Okuneye, popularly known as Bobrisky.

VeryDarkMan in recent videos condemned the award of Best Dressed Female to the cross-dresser at a Nollywood event. However, the Nigeria Police Force said at that time that it could not arrest Bobrisky because there was no law against cross-dressing in the country and that there was no prove that he was engaging in same-sex relations.

In April, the police said that their case against VeryDarkMan was not yet over.

The Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said this while featuring on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme, adding that the delayed release of the controversial social media influencer from detention was based on a court order.

Cybercrime: Court orders remand of social media influencer VeryDarkMan

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Court stops Soun of Ogbomoso from removing Chief Imam

Published

2 hours ago

June 29, 2024

Trends Admin

Chief Imam of Ogbomoso, Shiek Taliat Yunus Olusina Ayilara and Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Afolabi Ghandi Olaoye

Court stops Soun of Ogbomoso from removing Chief Imam

An Oyo State High Court in Ogbomoso has restrained the Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Afolabi Ghandi Olaoye, and the kingmakers of town from removing the Chief Imam of Ogbomoso, Sheikh Teliat Yunus Ayilara.

The monarch and the kingmakers, led by Chief Sobalaje Otolorin, were stopped from removing the cleric following a suit filed at the court.

The suit, marked HOG/31/2024, was filed by Registered Trustees of Ogbomoso Muslim Youths Forum against the Soun and the Soun-In-Council.

The Muslim youths alleged that the traditional ruler and the kingmakers, who are members of the Soun-in-Council were making some clandestine moves to remove the cleric.

The suit stated further restrained, “defendants/respondents whether by themselves, their agents, privies, officers under their control, or any persons acting on the instruction of the defendants/respondents from suspending or removing the holder of office of Grand Chief Imam of Ogbomoso land (in person of Alhaji Yunus Olusina Ayilara) or in anyway disturbing or tampering with the office of Grand Chief Imam of Ogbomoso land pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice”.

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It added that “defendants/respondents and their agents, servants and/or privies and/or any persons acting under their control or on their instructions, are also restrained in the interim from doing anything under any guise whatsoever to interfere with or impede the Grand Chief Imam of Ogbomoso Land from carrying out the functions and duties of his office as Grand Chief Imam of Ogbomoso Land pending the hearing and determination of the Motion On Notice filed herein.”

“I put on record that I have taken judicial notice of the full names of the Grand Chief Imam of Ogbomoso land as Alhaji Taliat Yunus Olusina Ayilara and that of the 1 defendant/respondent as His Imperial Majesty Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye (Orumogege III), the Soun of Ogbomoso land.”

Court stops Soun of Ogbomoso from removing Chief Imam

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19-year-old transformer vandal electrocuted in Enugu

Published

5 hours ago

June 29, 2024

Trends Admin

19-year-old transformer vandal electrocuted in Enugu

A yet-to-be-identified suspected electricity vandal has been electrocuted while attempting to steal transformer cable which belong to the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company.

A statement on Friday by the Head, Corporate Communications of EEDC, Emeka Ezeh, said the incident happened in the early hours of Friday.

Ezeh, who described the incident as “tragic and very unfortunate,” lamented the increasing rate at which vandals attack electricity installations within the EEDC’s network daily.

Ezeh said, “In the early hours of today (Friday), the lifeless body of a yet-to-be-identified vandal suspect was found within the space of a distribution transformer belonging to the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company Plc located around Missionary Avenue, Coal Camp, Enugu.

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“From all indications, it is presumed that the power supply must have been restored while the deceased was cutting the armoured cables, which resulted in him being electrocuted.

“Vandalism has been a big challenge to the company, and there is no way this can be addressed without the support of critical stakeholders.”

Ezeh lamented the increasing rate at which criminals plunder electricity installations within EEDC’s network daily, noting that it has adversely impacted not just the quality of service to its customers but also its revenue.

Meanwhile, the organisation in a statement on Friday, said, “The attention of the EEDC has been drawn to a video circulating on the social media space, made by one Mazi Okechukwu Cyril Nwuche who claims to be a lecturer at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, and the Anambra State Chairman of South East Electricity Consumers Association, purporting that EEDC is calling on its customers to apply for a free prepaid metre.

“This information is not only incorrect but laced with mischief aimed at misleading unsuspecting customers and creating confusion within the space.

“Whilst EEDC encourages its customers in need of meters to apply and have their premises metered, it is important that they are armed with the right information, and that they also understand the procedure in place for metre acquisition.”

19-year-old transformer vandal electrocuted in Enugu

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Court remands man for defiling eight-year-old daughter in Ondo

Published

6 hours ago

June 29, 2024

Trends Admin

Court remands man for defiling eight-year-old daughter in Ondo

A Family Magistrate Court sitting in Akure, Ondo State, has ordered the remand of a man, Mufutau Taiwo, for allegedly defiling his eight-year-old daughter.

The 35-year-old defendant was arrested by policemen for committing the offence at Ayedun Quarters, Akure, a few weeks ago. He was later charged in court on one count charge of rape.

According to the police prosecutor, Mr Martins Olowofeso, the defendant was apprehended on June 18, 2024, following a report made to the Anti-kidnapping Unit of the command at Alagbaka (Akure) that the defendant was involved in an incestuous act with his daughter.

The charge sheet reads, “That you, Mufutau Taiwo, 35, male, on June 5, 2024, at about 4 pm at No. 40 Egbe-Road, Ayedun Quarters, Akure, did have carnal knowledge of your daughter, (name withheld), female, aged eight years old, of the same address, and thereby committed an offense contrary to and punishable under Section 25(a) of the Ondo State Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Law 2021.”

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Olowofeso informed the court that the Investigating Police Officer conducted a test in Akure, which revealed that there was penetration into the victim’s private part and she had been bleeding for three days.

He added that the defendant had confessed to the alleged crime during interrogation by the IPO.

The prosecutor, through an application, urged the court to remand the defendant at the Olokuta Correctional Centre pending the issuance of advice from the Department of Public Prosecutions.

The counsel to the defendant, G.O. Omoedu, told the court that his client had just served and he would need time to respond on points of law, urging the court to adjourn the case to enable him to reply to the remand application.

In her ruling, the magistrate B. A. Alipohul ordered that the defendant should be remanded in police custody and adjourned the case till July 4, 2024, for a hearing.