The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has given reasons for arresting social media star Martins Vincent Otse, better known online as VeryDarkMan (VDM), on charges of cyberstalking.
An EFCC source who spoke on conditions of anonymity verified the arrest.
“We picked him up based on several complaints that he intimidated, harassed, and insulted people on his social media platforms — actions that may violate the Cybercrimes Act of 2015,” the source clarified.
Additional details, such as the names of the complainants, were not made public, though.
Legal disputes and controversies are not new to VDM.
He has been embroiled in a number of legal disputes in recent years and is well-known for his audacious and frequently combative social media commentary.
Law enforcement and the public have often taken notice of his outspoken personality.
In May 2024, VeryDarkMan was brought before the Federal High Court in Abuja and charged with five different counts of cyberstalking.
The charges were related to alleged cases of online harassment directed at Nollywood actresses Tonto Dikeh and Iyabo Ojo, as well as the Nigeria Police Force.
VDM entered a not guilty plea despite the seriousness of the charges and was remanded until a planned bail hearing.
Because of the public profiles of those involved and the growing concern about online behaviour in Nigeria, the arrest has generated immense media attention.
Otse became involved in yet another legal matter later that year, in November 2024, this time due to accusations of impersonation.
The influencer was accused by the prosecutors of illegally wearing a police uniform and posing as a law enforcement official when they brought the case before an Abuja Chief Magistrate Court.
He pleaded not guilty and denied the charges, just as he had in the prior case. He was given bail, which was ₦2 million, in contrast to the previous circumstance.
A complicated picture of VeryDarkMan’s career as a digital figure has been created by these ongoing legal challenges.
Although he has a sizable following thanks to his assertive social media presence, he is alleged to have also become a divisive figure.
The EFCC’s recent arrest adds to a growing list of legal issues that underscore the conflict between Nigeria’s cybercrime laws and online freedom of expression.
He could face charges under the Cybercrimes Act of 2015, which lists a number of online behavior-related offences, such as impersonation, cyberstalking, and harassment.
It provides a legal framework for regulating online interactions in Nigeria, especially given the ongoing impact of social media on public opinion and social conduct.
Observers are waiting for more details about the precise accusations that resulted in his recent arrest as the investigation continues.
VDM’s arrest has stirred public scrutiny of online influencers and the legal obligations associated with using digital platforms to exert influence.
