Social Media Activist VeryDarkMan Remanded on Cyberstalking Charges

Social media activist Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, has been remanded in police custody until next Wednesday, May 29, 2024. The Federal High Court in Abuja has charged him with five counts of cyberstalking following numerous petitions about his online behavior.

VeryDarkMan, noted for his controversial remarks and criticisms on social media, was previously arrested in March 2024 for alleged cyberbullying involving Nollywood actresses Iyabo Ojo and Tonto Dikeh. He pleaded not guilty to the charges, but the court kept him in custody until the next hearing.

The prosecution requested additional time to respond to the bail application, leading to the court’s decision to remand VeryDarkMan in police custody. His lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, successfully argued for him to stay in police custody instead of being sent to prison.

This isn’t VeryDarkMan‘s first legal trouble. In January 2024, he was arrested after a petition by actress Tonto Dikeh over comments he made regarding the late Nigerian singer Mohbad‘s case, accusing Dikeh and her colleague Iyabo Ojo of “chasing clout” with the singer’s death.

The court’s decision to remand VeryDarkMan has sparked online discussion, with many questioning the severity of the bail conditions. His lawyer claims the conditions were stringent, including securing two high-ranking government officials as sureties. However, the release was delayed due to the absence of a “top official” to sign the paperwork.

This situation has also ignited a debate about social media activism and the fine line between free speech and cyberbullying. VeryDarkMan‘s case highlights the legal consequences that can arise from online actions.