Adebayo Adenrele
The Nigeria Police Force, Abuja command has arrested social media activist, Martin Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan for allegedly exposing a fraudster.
Confirming the arrest, VeryDarkMan’s lawyer, Deji Adeyanju stated that his client was taken into custody on the orders of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Commissioner of Police, Benneth Igwe.
According to Adeyanju, VeryDarkMan was arrested for allegedly exposing an individual who defrauded a Nigerian citizen abroad, rather than the police investigating the fraud allegation.
Highlighting the seeming injustice in the arrest, Deji Adeyanju said,
“Our client, Martin Vincent Otse, also known as VeryDarkMan, has just been arrested by the police on the instruction of CP Benneth Igwe for exposing someone who allegedly duped a Nigerian abroad.
“Instead of the police arresting the person alleged to have duped someone, they arrested VDM on the allegation of defamation.”
Recall that VeryDarkMan had been previously arrested and arraigned before the Federal High Court in Abuja on five counts of cyberstalking, involving the Nigerian police and Nollywood actresses Iyabo Ojo and Tonto Dike.
He was accused of making false publications and allegations against top police officers and Senators.
VDM pleaded not guilty to the charges and was released from police custody on June 13, 2024, after fulfilling his bail conditions.
The police have not yet released an official statement on the arrest.