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VeryDarkMan Denies Audio Allegations, Says “I Want to Face the Law”

Published

2 months ago

May 28, 2026

VeryDarkMan Denies Audio Allegations, Says “I Want to Face the Law”

Social media activist Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), has denied any connection to a controversial audio recording currently circulating online, describing it as “doctored” and falsely attributed to him . The activist has called on security agencies to investigate the source and circulation of the alleged fake audio, even as fresh investigations by Premium Times revealed that the manipulated video circulating online did not originate from VDM’s original post .

In a statement issued by his legal representatives, Deji Adeyanju & Partners, the activist’s management faulted comments reportedly made by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, regarding the audio clip . The statement said a simple verification of VDM’s verified social media platforms would have shown that he neither produced nor shared the audio in question. “It is surprising that, despite the resources available to the Presidency, adverse comments were made concerning our client without proper verification of the facts,” the statement read .

According to the legal team, the development further reinforces the activist’s longstanding concerns about alleged attempts by influential individuals within government to discredit and silence him because of his outspoken stance on issues of public interest . The circulation of the audio, they argued, forms part of efforts aimed at damaging the public image of the social media personality. The lawyers called on relevant security agencies to investigate the origin and circulation of the alleged doctored audio and ensure that those responsible are brought to justice. “We accordingly call on the relevant security agencies to investigate the source and circulation of the doctored audio and ensure that those responsible are identified and dealt with in accordance with the law,” the statement added .

In a detailed investigation, Premium Times found that the viral clip circulating online was created after an unidentified individual extracted footage from VDM’s original Instagram video and inserted AI-generated voice notes resembling President Tinubu’s voice, creating the false impression that the activist shared the audio himself . The newspaper’s findings revealed that in the original footage, VDM was reacting to comments made by content creator and philanthropist Mitchell “King Mitchy” Mukoro, who had alleged that his necklace was a charm and claimed he had visited a shrine. While responding, VDM played an old campaign clip of Mr. Tinubu speaking about electricity and governance ahead of the 2023 presidential election .

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In the original campaign footage aired by TVC News, President Tinubu said Nigerians should not vote for him for a second term if he failed to deliver on his promises regarding electricity supply. “Whichever way, by all means necessary, you must have electricity, and you won’t pay for estimated bills anymore. A promise made will be a promise kept. If I don’t keep my promise and I run for a second term, don’t vote for me. That’s the truth,” Mr. Tinubu said in the original clip . Premium Times further found that an unidentified individual later extracted portions of the original VDM video and superimposed AI-generated voice notes resembling Mr. Tinubu’s voice before circulating the manipulated version online. The edited clip retained the opening portion of VDM’s original video before switching to the fabricated AI-generated audio, creating the impression that the activist had shared or endorsed the recordings himself. The manipulated clip subsequently circulated widely on social media and eventually prompted Mr. Onanuga to call for the activist’s prosecution .

The altered audio contained AI-generated voice notes falsely attributed to Mr. Tinubu, including claims that he deliberately allowed insecurity to persist in parts of the country for political reasons. The fabricated audio also falsely claimed that the president had asked former Anambra State governor Peter Obi to step down in his favour and threatened to worsen insecurity in the South-east . The audio, which bears the hallmarks of AI voice cloning, features a voice mimicking Tinubu making a series of damaging statements, including that insecurity in the South-East was deliberate, that he had called on Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi to step down for him in 2022, that he was indifferent to the suffering of Nigerians, and that loans from the World Bank were being channelled to fund elections .

The dispute began when Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, took to his verified X handle @aonanuga1956 to accuse VDM of abusing social media by disseminating what he called false information capable of misleading the public and damaging the image of the president . “This VDM needs to face the weight of the law for being the conveyor and disseminator of a fake audio of President Tinubu. This is a clear case of an egregious abuse of the social media platform,” Onanuga said . Describing the voice note as manipulated, Onanuga warned that the spread of unverified material poses serious dangers to public trust, national security, and democratic stability. According to the presidential spokesman, those responsible for circulating such content should be held accountable under the law .

In a separate response posted on his social media platforms, VDM declared that he was ready for any legal action and would even return earlier than planned to face the matter . “I will not defend the allegations. If I respond, let God punish me. I want to face that law. I will even book a flight to come earlier than I planned. I want to see what you people can do,” he said . The social media critic maintained that he had a right to speak against the government when he believed it had done wrong. “If you are pained that VDM is speaking, what option do I have other than to speak? It is my right to criticise the government when it is doing wrong. We are in a democracy,” he stated .

In a strongly worded statement, human rights lawyer Deji Adeyanju slammed the presidency over what he described as its failure to properly verify the fake audio before making public comments . Adeyanju stated that the viral video is not on any social media platform of VDM and that the controversy would have been avoided if proper verification had been conducted. Adeyanju said the presidency’s threat further validates VDM’s longstanding concerns about attempts by powerful people in government to cage him . The statement read in part: “The attention of our client has been drawn to the statement made by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, concerning a doctored audio currently circulating online and falsely attributed to our client, Mr. Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan. A simple verification of our client’s verified social media platforms would have confirmed that he neither made nor shared the said audio” .

The incident has since sparked conversations online about the dangers of AI-generated misinformation and the speed with which manipulated political content can spread across social media platforms . Several users on X questioned why the presidency moved quickly to call for the activist’s prosecution before independently verifying the authenticity and origin of the altered clip . The controversy highlights growing concerns about the increasing use of artificial intelligence tools to manipulate audio and video content featuring public officials, celebrities, and political figures. Although the AI-generated audio circulated widely online, checks by Premium Times showed that the voice notes were not part of VDM’s original upload and appeared to have been added later by another individual .

In a related development, the Coalition for Ethical Technology and Democratic Integrity recently called on the Federal Government and security agencies to urgently criminalise AI-generated blackmail, classifying it as a national security threat and a form of cyber-terrorism, warning that deepfakes and fake content could threaten the credibility of the 2027 elections . The Federal Government had earlier warned the public against a fake AI-generated advertisement using Tinubu’s image and video circulating on Facebook to solicit investments in a Ponzi scheme, with the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria warning that violations would attract sanctions . Nigeria’s Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention) Act 2015, as amended in 2024, contains provisions that criminalise the production and distribution of false digital communications designed to cause harm or damage to a person’s reputation, with penalties including imprisonment .

As of the time of filing this report, Mr. Onanuga had not issued any clarification regarding the discovery that the manipulated audio did not originate from the activist’s original video . The legal team has urged authorities to take action against those involved in spreading what they described as misinformation, but directed at tracing the actual source of the doctored audio rather than targeting their client. The development has also reignited conversations around digital verification, misinformation and the responsibility of public officials to fact-check viral content before making public accusations or demands for prosecution . VDM, who is no stranger to controversy and previous legal battles, has maintained his innocence and continues to insist that the audio was falsely attributed to him as part of a coordinated effort to discredit his activism.

VeryDarkMan Denies Audio Allegations, Says “I Want to Face the Law”

Related Topics:Audio Allegations VeryDarkMan

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Five Years After #EndSARS, LSDPC Restores LASTMA Office, Donates Patrol Vehicles

Published

35 minutes ago

July 12, 2026

Trends Admin

Five Years After #EndSARS, LSDPC Restores LASTMA Office, Donates Patrol Vehicles

The Lagos State Development and Property Corporation (LSDPC) has rebuilt and handed over the Zone 25 office of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), alongside two operational vehicles, in a move aimed at strengthening traffic management and public service delivery in Lagos.

This is coming five years after the office was destroyed during the 2020 #EndSARS protests.

The reconstructed office, which serves the Bariga and Oworonshoki axis, had remained abandoned since it was razed during the unrest.

Through the intervention, executed under its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative, LSDPC restored the facility and provided two operational vehicles to enhance LASTMA’s emergency response and traffic management capabilities.

Speaking at the handover ceremony, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of LSDPC, Hon. Ayodeji Joseph, represented by the Executive Director, Business Development and Joint Venture, Mr. Derin Phillips, said the project underscores the corporation’s commitment to supporting public institutions through impactful CSR initiatives.

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He said the intervention reflects LSDPC’s belief that stronger collaboration among government agencies is vital to improving service delivery, adding that well-equipped public institutions are better positioned to meet the needs of Lagos residents.

Receiving the renovated facility and vehicles, the General Manager of LASTMA expressed appreciation to the management of LSDPC for the timely intervention, describing it as a significant boost to the agency’s operations.

He noted that the modernised office would provide a more conducive working environment for officers in Zone 25, while the donated vehicles would improve operational efficiency and enable quicker response to traffic incidents within the Bariga, Oworonshoki and adjoining areas.

LSDPC said it would continue to invest in strategic initiatives that strengthen public institutions, promote inter-agency collaboration and enhance service delivery across Lagos State.

Five Years After #EndSARS, LSDPC Restores LASTMA Office, Donates Patrol Vehicles

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Peter Obi has no police escort — Spokesman replies Keyamo over CCTV video

Published

6 hours ago

July 12, 2026

Trends Admin

Peter Obi has no police escort — Spokesman replies Keyamo over CCTV video

A fresh controversy has emerged between Peter Obi, the Labour Party‘s 2023 presidential candidate, and Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, over the release of CCTV footage linked to an airport incident involving the former Anambra State governor.

The dispute began after Keyamo released surveillance footage from the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, which he said showed a vehicle associated with Obi violating airport parking regulations. The minister maintained that the footage contradicted Obi’s recent claim that he had been subjected to intimidation and unfair treatment at Nigerian airports.

However, Zekeri Idris, one of Obi’s spokespersons, has rejected the minister’s position, insisting that the footage released by Keyamo relates to a different incident from the one Obi publicly described during a recent interview.

In a statement issued on Saturday, Idris argued that the minister based part of his response on the mistaken assumption that Obi enjoys official security protection similar to that of serving government officials.

According to him, although Obi is entitled to security as a prominent opposition leader, he currently has no police or Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) personnel attached to him in Abuja.

“Mr. Peter Obi does not have any police or civil defence personnel attached to him in Abuja, despite being entitled to VVIP protection by virtue of his status as a leading opposition figure in Nigeria. He certainly does not have a police officer serving as his driver.

“Your reference to a ‘police driver’ appears to have been based on the assumption that he enjoys the level of security protection ordinarily accorded to someone of his standing. He does not.”

Idris said he had accompanied Obi on numerous trips across the country and had personally observed what he described as repeated discourteous treatment from some government officials at airports.

He maintained that the CCTV footage published by Keyamo did not capture the same incident Obi referred to during his interview.

“The incident you posted is entirely different from the one Mr. Peter Obi narrated in his interview. In that interview, he clearly stated: ‘I was there…’ In the incident contained in your tweet, he was not present.”

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The spokesman argued that if there were now multiple incidents involving vehicles linked to Obi being clamped at airports, the development could indicate a pattern that deserved closer public scrutiny.

“If we now have at least two separate incidents in which vehicles associated with Mr. Obi were clamped under questionable circumstances, does this not suggest a pattern of targeting an individual simply because of who he is?”

Idris also disputed claims that Obi’s vehicle remained parked for about 30 minutes, insisting that the entire sequence—from the vehicle’s arrival to its eventual clamping—lasted approximately five minutes.

He questioned the basis of the 30-minute claim, noting that many international airports allow vehicles a short window to drop off or pick up passengers before enforcement measures are taken.

“The entire sequence of events you referenced, from arrival to the eventual clamping of the vehicle, lasted approximately five minutes.

“At most airports around the world, including major international airports, a ten-minute drop-off window is generally considered acceptable. Where, then, did the claim of 30 minutes originate?”

The Obi spokesperson further alleged that several other vehicles parked in the same area were not subjected to similar enforcement by airport officials.

According to him, some of those vehicles had been parked before the arrival of the vehicle linked to Obi, yet they were neither clamped nor sanctioned.

He also referenced previous airport controversies involving former Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole and Fuji musician Wasiu Ayinde Marshal (KWAM 1), questioning why similar official attention, including the release of CCTV footage, was not given to those incidents.

“Where was this same enthusiasm to instigate public outrage and issue official condemnations? Was CCTV footage from those incidents also released, or was the CCTV system only activated when it involved Mr. Peter Obi?” he asked.

The controversy follows Obi’s recent allegation that he had repeatedly experienced intimidation and harassment at Nigerian airports. In response, Keyamo released the CCTV footage, insisting that airport officials merely enforced existing parking regulations and denying any form of political victimisation.

The exchange has continued to generate debate across social media and political circles, with supporters of both men offering contrasting interpretations of the events. While Obi’s camp insists the minister relied on footage from a different incident, the Aviation Ministry maintains that the released video demonstrates that airport officials acted within established operational guidelines.

As of the time of filing this report, neither Peter Obi nor Festus Keyamo had issued any additional statement beyond those already released by their respective camps.

Peter Obi has no police escort — Spokesman replies Keyamo over CCTV video

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Heavy rainfall triggers deadly landslides in Cross River, five confirmed dead

Published

7 hours ago

July 12, 2026

Trends Admin

Heavy rainfall triggers deadly landslides in Cross River, five confirmed dead

At least five people, including four children, have been confirmed dead after devastating landslides triggered by 48 hours of torrential rainfall struck the Ikot Anwatim community in Calabar Municipality, Cross River State, destroying homes, injuring residents and displacing several families.

The tragic incident, which has thrown the community into mourning, also left two other residents injured and destroyed two residential buildings, according to the Cross River State Emergency Management Agency (CR-SEMA).

The agency confirmed the casualties during a rapid assessment of the affected area conducted on Saturday by its Director-General, Efa Nyong, alongside officials of the disaster management unit of the Nigerian Red Cross Society.

Speaking during the assessment, Nyong conveyed the condolences of the Cross River State Government to the bereaved families and described the deaths—particularly those of the four children—as heartbreaking.

He assured victims that the state government would provide humanitarian support while working with relevant agencies to assist affected families and reduce the impact of future disasters.

“This assessment will document the disaster’s impact to guide government decisions on emergency assistance and long-term disaster risk reduction,” Nyong said.

He urged residents living in communities vulnerable to landslides and erosion to promptly report visible land cracks, monitor changes in the terrain and comply with evacuation directives whenever issued by emergency authorities.

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According to him, climate-related disasters are becoming increasingly frequent and severe, making it necessary for governments, communities and humanitarian organisations to strengthen disaster preparedness, early warning systems and public awareness.

Nyong noted that the rapid assessment reflected CR-SEMA’s commitment to proactive disaster response, coordinated emergency management and the protection of lives and property across the state.

The assessment team recommended the immediate provision of relief materials, temporary shelter and humanitarian assistance for affected families, as well as continued medical care for the injured survivors.

It also called for a comprehensive geotechnical assessment of the affected area to determine the stability of the terrain and recommend long-term engineering solutions to prevent similar disasters.

In addition, the team advocated intensified public sensitisation on the dangers of landslides, improved environmental management and the possible relocation of residents living in high-risk areas as the rainy season continues.

An affected resident, Bassey Patrick, commended the emergency response team for arriving promptly despite the difficult conditions.

He appealed for urgent government intervention, saying many families had not only lost loved ones but also their homes and means of livelihood.

“We have lost our children, our neighbours and our homes. We need urgent assistance because many families have nowhere to stay,” he said.

The tragedy comes as the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has repeatedly warned of above-normal rainfall and increased risks of flooding, landslides and erosion in several parts of the country during the 2026 rainy season. Emergency management experts have urged residents in vulnerable communities to remain alert and heed official weather advisories to minimise casualties.

Environmental experts say uncontrolled development on fragile hillsides, poor drainage systems, deforestation and the effects of climate change have increased the frequency of landslides in parts of southern Nigeria. They have called for stricter enforcement of environmental regulations, improved urban planning and sustained investment in erosion-control infrastructure.

The latest disaster adds to a growing list of weather-related emergencies recorded across Nigeria this year, underscoring the urgent need for stronger disaster preparedness, climate resilience and coordinated emergency response at all levels of government.