 |
| Image: Google |
Controversial social media commentator, Martins Otse, widely known as VeryDarkMan, was re-arraigned on Thursday before a Federal High Court in Abuja over allegations of cyberbullying Nollywood actresses Iyabo Ojo and Tonto Dikeh.
The police also accuse the activist of targeting other individuals online, including music producer and artist Samuel Oguachuba, popularly referred to as Samklef.
Appearing before Justice Musa Liman, Otse was presented with a five-count charge and entered a plea of not guilty to all the allegations.
He had previously been arraigned on the same charges on May 22, 2024, before Justice Mobolaji Olajuwon. The offences are said to contravene Section 24 of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015.
Otse was earlier remanded but later secured bail on June 10, 2024, in the sum of ₦10 million. His bail conditions include the provision of two sureties—either Level 17 officers in the federal civil service or employees of reputable organizations—alongside proof of three years’ tax clearance.
Following Justice Olajuwon’s reassignment to another division, the case, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/140/2024 and dated March 28, 2024, was transferred to Justice Liman.
The charges detail various instances of alleged misconduct. In the first count, Otse is accused of sharing a video via his Instagram page (@verydarkblackman) on or around October 13, 2023, that allegedly contained threatening and bullying remarks directed at Samklef.
The second count claims that on or about October 29, 2023, he posted videos that were said to be indecent, obscene, and menacing in nature, targeting Iyabo Ojo. In the video, he allegedly claimed, “one Iyabo Ojo is having an indecent sexual relationship with her daughter.”
The third count accuses him of knowingly publishing false information on January 19, 2024, alleging that “King Tonto Dikeh is involved in the criminal conversion of funds raised for the Justice for Mobbad Movement and is the person behind the Gistlover blog.”
The fourth count states that on March 19, 2024, Otse posted videos deemed insulting and provocative toward Deputy Inspectors General of Police and members of the National Assembly.
After the re-arraignment, Otse’s lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, requested that the court allow his client to continue under the previously granted bail terms. Police counsel Victor Okoye did not oppose the request.
Justice Liman agreed to maintain the existing bail conditions and adjourned the matter until July 24, 2025, for trial.
#Verydarkman
#Cyberbully
#TrendingNow
No comments:
Post a Comment