Ayuba Sanusi
JUSTICE Mobolaji Olajuwon of a Federal High Court sitting in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja today granted temporary freedom to the controversial social media influencer and blogger, Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as Verydarkman.
Eighteen-Eleven Media recalls that the court had on 22 May 2024 ordered the remand of the social media influencer following his arraignment on five counts bordering on cyberstalking. 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 a 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 an 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.
“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 a 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 crowdfunding 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 a 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 Lawmakers, 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.
“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 a 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.”
Otse, who spent almost three weeks in detention, was released from police custody after satisfying his bail condition on Monday.
Justice Olajuwon had acceded to the request by the police for more time to reply to the bail application filed and moved by the defence counsel.
However, the police prosecution failed to have the blogger remanded in prison custody, particularly as his counsel made an application for him to be kept in police custody.
The court granted the request of the defence and he was thereafter taken to the National Cybercrime Centre.
Meanwhile, a viral video on X shows VeryDarkMan walking into his fans after he was set free.
Also, popular Nigerian blogger Tunde Ednut confirmed his release in an Instagram post.
He wrote: “THIS MORNING: VeryDarkMan seen in court this morning. Bail has been granted to him, and arrangements are currently being made. He will be home once he finishes that.”
Eighteen-Eleven Media