Social media commentator Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), was re-arraigned on Tuesday before the Federal High Court in Abuja on a five-count charge of cyberstalking and online harassment involving high-profile celebrities and public officials.
The charges, brought by the Inspector-General of Police, accuse Otse of targeting actress Iyabo Ojo, actress Tonto Dikeh, music producer Samklef, and senior government figures through alleged offensive and defamatory posts on his Instagram account.
VDM pleaded not guilty to all charges and was granted a continuation of his earlier bail by Justice Musa Liman, who adjourned the case to 24 July 2025 for trial.
The case had previously begun under Justice Mobolaji Olajuwon before being reassigned following the judge’s transfer. Otse was first arraigned in May 2024 and granted bail the following month under strict conditions, including a ₦10 million bond and two senior sureties.
Court filings detail a series of social media posts made between October 2023 and March 2024, including allegations against public figures and accusations of financial misconduct.
The police maintain that the content violated provisions of the Cybercrime Act, 2015. The defense team, led by human rights lawyer Deji Adeyanju, argued for bail continuity, which the prosecution did not oppose.
Â
