The Inspector-General of Police on Thursday re-arraigned social media influencer, Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), over alleged cyberbullying of actresses Iyabo Ojo and Tonto Dikeh, as well as music producer Samuel ‘Samklef’ Oguachuba.

VDM was re-arraigned before Justice Musa Liman of the Federal High Court in Abuja on a five-count charge bordering on cyberstalking and the alleged dissemination of offensive content through his social media platforms. He, however, pleaded not guilty to all charges.

Counsel to VDM, Deji Adeyanju, prayed the court to allow the defendant to continue on the earlier bail granted by Justice Mobolaji Olajuwon of a sister court.

The prosecution counsel, Victor Okoye, representing the Inspector-General of Police, did not oppose the application. Justice Liman therefore admitted the defendant to the previous bail terms and adjourned the matter to 24 July 2025 for the commencement of the trial.

VDM was initially arraigned on 22 May 2024 before Justice Olajuwon. The charge sheet showed that in Count One, VDM was alleged to have, on or about 13 October 2023, posted a video via his Instagram account (@verydarkblackman) containing threatening and bullying statements directed at Samklef.

Count Two accused him of intentionally posting, on or about 29 October 2023, videos containing offensive, pornographic, indecent, obscene, or menacing content targeting actress Iyabo Ojo, where he allegedly claimed that “one Iyabo Ojo is having an indecent sexual relationship with her daughter”.

In Count Three, VDM was alleged to have falsely published via Instagram, on or about 19 January 2024, that actress Tonto Dikeh had diverted proceeds from a crowdfunding campaign for the “Justice for Mohbad” movement and that she was the person behind the anonymous blog Gistlover.

Count Four accused him of intentionally posting, on or about 19 March 2024, content considered annoying and insulting towards Deputy Inspectors-General of Police and members of the National Assembly.

The offences are contrary to and punishable under Section 24 of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Act, 2015.

VDM was remanded but later granted bail on 10 June 2024 in the sum of ₦10 million, with two sureties, either employees of reputable organisations or federal civil servants of not less than Level 17, with evidence of three years’ tax clearance.

The case was, however, reassigned to Justice Liman following the transfer of Justice Olajuwon to another division of the Federal High Court.