Cybercrime: Court orders remand of social media influencer VeryDarkMan

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.