Social media influencer Verydarkman remanded in Police custody over cybercrime charges

Justice Mobolaji Olajuwon of the Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the remand of social media influencer Martins Vincent Otse, known as Verydarkman, in police custody over five-count cybercrime charge.

This decision followed Otse’s plea of not guilty to a five-count cybercrime charge brought against him by the Nigeria Police Force.

The charges include allegations that Verydarkman posted videos on Instagram containing “grossly offensive, pornographic or of an indecent, obscene or menacing character.” One count specifically accuses him of falsely claiming that Iyabo Ojo had an indecent sexual relationship with her daughter.

The police further alleged that Otse falsely accused actress Tonto Dike of criminal conversion of funds intended for the #JusticeforMohbadMovement and of being behind the controversial gossip blog Gistlover. These statements were allegedly made to cause “annoyance, inconvenience, danger, obstruction, insult, injury, criminal intimidation, enmity, hatred, ill will, or needless anxiety” to Dike.

Additionally, the prosecution claims Otse falsely stated in a video that top police officers and Senators had sexual relationships with Idris Okuneye, a convicted male cross-dresser known as Bobrisky. He also alleged that Bobrisky was involved in pimping young boys to Senators and Senior Police Officers.

These actions, according to the police, constitute the offence of cyberstalking, as outlined in section 24 (1)(b) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Act, 2015.

Despite Otse’s not-guilty plea, his lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, requested bail, arguing that the charges were bailable and that Otse should enjoy the presumption of innocence under the Nigerian Constitution. The police requested time to respond to the bail application.

The court has adjourned the case until next Wednesday, May 29, 2024. Otse was previously arrested and detained in March over the same allegations but was released on administrative bail.