Popular social media influencer Martins Vincent Otse, popular known as VeryDarkMan, has been released from police custody after a Federal High Court in Abuja granted him bail on Monday.
VeryDarkMan was arrested in May on five counts of cyberstalking.
The charges stemmed from comments he made about celebrities and accusations against senior police officers.
The controversial influencer faced charges related to comments he made about actress Iyabo Ojo and cross-dresser Bobrisky. The charges included accusations of spreading false information and causing annoyance.
He also criticized the police for not arresting Bobrisky, alleging some officers had inappropriate relationships with the cross-dresser. The police denied these claims, stating there were no legal grounds for Bobrisky’s arrest.
The prosecuting counsel initially opposed VeryDarkMan’s bail request, seeking to remand him in prison. However, his lawyers successfully argued against his continued detention in police custody.
Justice Mobolaji Olajuwon of the Federal High Court granted the bail request and he was taken to the National Cybercrime Centre.
The charges against him read, “That you Martins Vincent Otse (A.K.A. VERYDARKBLACKMAN) ‘M’, 29 YRS of Supreme Court Estate Karu, Abuja on or about 29th October, 2023, in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court knowingly and intentionally posted videos, by means of computer system on your Instagram handles ‘verydarkblackman’, which video contained information that is grossly offensive, pornographic or of an indecent, obscene or menacing character wherein you stated that one Iyabo Ojo is having indecent sexual relationship with her daughter knowing or having reasons to believe that the information in the video you posted on your Instagram handle is false and you thereby committed the offence of Cyberstalking contrary to and punishable under section 24 (1)(a) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) ACT, 2015.
“That you Martins Vincent Otse (A.K.A. VERYDARKBLACKMAN) ‘M’, 29 years of Supreme Court Estate Karu, Abuja on or about 19th March, 2024, in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court knowingly and intentionally posted videos, by means of computer system on your Instagram handles ‘verydarkblackman’ containing information you know or had reasons to believe to be false, wherein you stated that Bobrisky is pimping young boys for Senators and Senior Police Officers to sleep with, which statement you made for the purpose of causing annoyance, inconvenience, danger, insult, injury.”
His lawyer, Deji Adeyanju confirmed that he will be released on bail on Tuesday.