The Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned the trial of controversial social media influencer, Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), to December 2, 2025, in a case involving allegations of cyberbullying and cybercrime.
The adjournment followed a brief sitting on Thursday, during which the presiding judge, Justice Musa Liman, handled a few matters on the cause list before rising without hearing VDM’s case.
VDM is standing trial on a five-count charge bordering on alleged cyberbullying of prominent Nigerian celebrities including actresses Iyabo Ojo and Tonto Dikeh, as well as music producer Samuel Oguachuba, also known as Samklef. The case is being prosecuted by the office of the Inspector-General of Police.
At his re-arraignment on May 15, VDM pleaded not guilty to all charges. His counsel, Deji Adeyanju, applied that he be allowed to continue on the bail earlier granted by Justice Mobolaji Olajuwon, a request that was not opposed by prosecution counsel Victor Okoye. The court upheld the application, allowing him to remain on the same bail terms.
VDM was first arraigned on May 22, 2024, before Justice Olajuwon on the same charges under Section 24 of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015. He was subsequently granted ₦10 million bail on June 10, with conditions including two sureties who must be employees of reputable companies or Level 17 officers in the federal civil service, supported by proof of three years’ tax clearance.
The case, FHC/ABJ/CR/140/2024, was re-assigned to Justice Liman following Justice Olajuwon’s transfer to another division of the Federal High Court.
The charge sheet outlines the following allegations:
Count One: On or about October 13, 2023, VDM allegedly published a video on his Instagram handle containing threats and bullying remarks directed at Samklef.
Count Two: On or about October 29, 2023, he allegedly posted offensive and indecent content on Instagram claiming that Iyabo Ojo was involved in an inappropriate sexual relationship with her daughter.
Count Three: On or about January 19, 2024, he allegedly published a video falsely accusing Tonto Dikeh of criminally converting funds raised during the Justice for Mohbad movement and being the individual behind the gossip blog Gistlover.
Count Four: On March 19, 2024, VDM allegedly made insulting posts targeting senior police officers and members of the National Assembly.
The trial will now proceed on December 2, when the court is expected to begin hearing evidence in the high-profile case.
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