A Federal High Court in Abuja has granted bail to social media influencer and blogger Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as Verydarkman.
News About Nigeria reports that Verydarkman, who had spent nearly three weeks in detention, was released from police custody on Monday after meeting his bail conditions.
While the specifics of the bail conditions remain unclear, a viral video on social media platform X shows Verydarkman walking into the embrace of his supporters following his release.
Popular Nigerian blogger Tunde Ednut also confirmed Otse’s release in an Instagram post, stating, “THIS MORNING: Verydarkman seen in court this morning. Bail has been granted to him, and arrangements are currently being made. He will be home once he finishes that.”
Verydarkman was remanded by the Federal High Court in Abuja on May 22, 2024, on charges related to cybercrime.
According to the police charge sheets, Otse faced five counts of cyberstalking.
One of the charges specified that on October 29, 2023, he posted a video on his Instagram handle ‘verydarkblackman’ containing offensive, pornographic, or menacing information.
The video falsely alleged that Nigerian actress Iyabo Ojo had an indecent sexual relationship with her daughter, which violated Section 24 (1)(a) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Act, 2015.
The charges against him partly read, “ Posting a video on October 29, 2023, on his Instagram handle ‘verydarkblackman’ that contained offensive, pornographic, or menacing information, falsely alleging that Iyabo Ojo had an indecent sexual relationship with her daughter, violating Section 24 (1)(a) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Act, 2015.
“Posting on your Instagram handles ‘verydarkblackman’, a video which contained information that is grossly offensive, pornographic or of an indecent, obscene or menacing character wherein you stated that one Iyabo Ojo is having an 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.”
