The Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned the trial of controversial social media personality Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), over allegations of cyberbullying actresses Tonto Dikeh and Iyabo Ojo.
The matter, which was earlier fixed for July 24, could not go on as Justice Musa Liman rose after attending to matters on the cause list. The case has now been adjourned to December 2.
VDM is facing a five-count charge filed by the Inspector General of Police (IGP), bordering on alleged cyberstalking and criminal defamation of public figures, including Tonto Dikeh and Iyabo Ojo.
One of the charges accused the 31-year-old of posting a video around October 29, 2023, in which he claimed “one Iyabo Ojo is having an indecent sexual relationship with her daughter,” a statement described as “grossly offensive, pornographic or of an indecent or obscene nature” by the prosecution.
Another charge said that on or about January 19, 2024, VDM posted a video on his Instagram handle where he claimed “King Tonto Dikeh is accused of criminal conversion of the proceeds of crowd-funding for the Justice for Late Mohbad and being the person behind the Gistlover blog.”
VDM was also accused of targeting other public figures, including music producer Samuel Oguachuba, aka Samklef, in a video allegedly threatening and bullying him on October 13, 2023.
The prosecution added that on or about March 19, 2024, the defendant “intentionally sent a message on his Instagram handle… wherein you insulted Deputy Inspectors General of Police and lawmakers in the National Assembly.”
All offences were said to be punishable under Section 24 (1)(b), (2)(a)(i) and (2)(d) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Act, 2015.
VDM pleaded not guilty to the charges when he was re-arraigned on May 15, and was granted bail in the sum of N10 million with two sureties. His lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, prayed the court to allow him to continue enjoying the earlier bail granted by Justice Mobolaji Olajuwon, to which prosecution counsel Victor Okoye did not object.
Justice Liman agreed and fixed the trial for July 24 before the latest adjournment.
VDM, who is known for calling out celebrities and public officials on Instagram and TikTok, was earlier detained by the police before securing bail on June 10.
The social media commentator’s feud with Tonto Dikeh and Iyabo Ojo sparked massive controversy online in late 2023, with both actresses threatening legal action over his accusations.
The actresses, who have championed the Justice for Mohbad movement following the singer’s death in September 2023, denied all claims made by VDM and accused him of slander and defamation.
