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  • Despite stern warning, VeryDarkMan leads procession in Anambra

    Despite stern warning, VeryDarkMan leads procession in Anambra

    Despite a stern warning from the Anambra State Police, Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), led the Candlelight procession in memory of Mr Ifesinachi Onyekere, an entrepreneur and owner of Fish Magnet, a popular fish farm in Awka, on Tuesday.

    Onyekere, a business coach, was shot in his house on July 26, taken away in his own car by unidentified assailants and was later found dead.

    The procession was held on the major streets of Awka, with a major stop at the popular Arroma junction before it terminated at the deceased’s residence in Okpuno.

    Speaking on the demise of Onyekere, VDM said the candlelight procession was held to honour ‘Fish Magnet’, and also raise awareness on the insecurity in Anambra and across the country.

    He called on relevant stakeholders to urgently address the worsening security situation in Anambra.

    VDM expressed his gratitude to the youths for turning out in large numbers to show their support, solidarity and for their peaceful conduct.

    On his part, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), who was in the procession, said candlelight processions are not just about mourning a single individual.

    Ikenga said it was a show of the collective will of the residents, especially the youths, to demand a significant reduction in the killings occurring in Anambra.

    He said the Police were actively investigating the incident and following every lead received.

    Ikenga said they have already recovered the vehicle used in the crime, and the victim’s family had provided valuable information.

    ALSO READ || Breach of peace: Police fire strong warning at VeryDarkMan

    According to him, we are confident that the perpetrators will be apprehended very soon.

    “We are here at the candlelight procession to ensure that no one’s rights are violated and to maintain order throughout the event,” he said.

  • Breach of peace: Police fire strong warning at VeryDarkMan

    Breach of peace: Police fire strong warning at VeryDarkMan

    The Police Command in Anambra has warned social media influencer, Mr Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, against causing breach of peace in the State.

    The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in Anambra, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, made this known in a statement on Tuesday in Awka.

    VeryDarkMan had planned a candlelight procession in honour of the former Managing Director of Fish Magnet outlet, Mr Ifesinachi Onyekere.

    Onyekere was abducted and murdered recently by suspected gunmen in Awka, and VeryDarkMan said the planned event was meant to draw the attention of the federal and state governments to security situation in Anambra.

    “The Commissioner of Police (CP) in Anambra, Ikioye Orutugu, has issued a stern warning to social media influencer Mr Martins Vincent Otse popularly known as Very-Dark-Man, against making statements or taking actions capable of inciting tension or breaching public peace within the state,” he said.

    Ikenga quoted Orutugu as saying that  the family of the late Onyekere has  publicly dissociated itself from any proposed or ongoing candlelight procession or memorial gathering being organised in his name.

    He said Onyekere family pleaded that it should be allowed to grieve privately, while trusting the authorities to do their work to fish out the suspects behind the dastardly act.

    He emphasised that the state remained one of the most peaceful in the region, due to the sustained efforts of the police and other security agencies, in collaboration with critical stakeholders.

    He stressed that no individual, regardless of social status, would be allowed to disrupt the existing peace and security architecture of the state.

    The command urged residents of the state to go about their lawful businesses without fear, reaffirming its commitment to maintaining law and order.

    He further advised social media users and public figures to exercise restraint and avoid spreading misinformation or making inciting remarks that could cause breach of peace in the state.

    He further warned that anyone found undermining public peace, whether online or offline, would face the full weight of the law.

  • VeryDarkMan blows hot, ‘bites hands that fed him during trouble’

    VeryDarkMan blows hot, ‘bites hands that fed him during trouble’

    Controversial social media personality, Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), has publicly blasted his lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, over a post advising him to avoid unnecessary risks in his activism.

    Trouble started after Adeyanju took to his X (formerly Twitter) handle to express concern for VDM’s safety, warning that Nigerians are quick to forget anyone who gets hurt in the line of public advocacy.

    “I call VDM every time to be careful and stop taking unnecessary risks, but he doesn’t listen most of the time,” Adeyanju wrote. “If anything happens to you today, everyone has moved on by tomorrow. We only overrate ourselves, Nigerians don’t rate anybody.”

    The post sparked speculation of a brewing rift between the lawyer and his client, with many interpreting the remark as dismissive and demotivating.

    Reacting, VDM via his Instagram condemned the statement, describing it as “cowardly” and unbefitting of someone who claims to be a comrade in the fight for justice.

    “I’m really disappointed by this tweet from my lawyer about me,” VDM said. “Especially because you, Deji, are supposed to be a comrade. If it was just any random Nigerian that said it, I’d understand. But you?”

    He continued, “Yes, it’s true Nigerians will move on if anything happens to me. But who doesn’t the world move on from? Jesus Christ died, the world moved on. The Pope dies, they replace him. Presidents die, people move on. So who do you think you are?”

    VDM argued that such rhetoric is part of a broader strategy used by the political elite to instill fear and silence dissenting voices. “Anybody wey open him mouth talk that kind thing is a coward. I swear to God,” he said. “That’s the type of talk politicians use to shut people up.”

    He went further to highlight that even those who avoid taking risks aren’t always safe. “People wey no even talk, them still dey kill them for their houses. Look at what’s happening in Benue, Borno, Taraba, Delta, Enugu. You think you’re special? We are all nothing.”

    Adeyanju is a human rights activist and Convener, Concerned Nigerians who has constantly supported, backed VDM’s controversial and high-profile activism.

  • VeryDarkman holds protest in front of Wike’s Abuja home with schoolchildren

    VeryDarkman holds protest in front of Wike’s Abuja home with schoolchildren

    Controversial influencer Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), on Monday organised a protest at the entrance of the residence of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, located in Abuja.

    TheNewsGuru reports that the protest follows Wike’s earlier announcement that he intends to withhold 10 percent of the statutory allocation to the area councils.

    This decision comes in light of the councils’ failure to implement the new minimum wage for primary school educators, which has led to an ongoing strike.

    It’s important to note that the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) has been on strike since March 24 due to the non-payment of the ₦70,000 minimum wage by the chairpersons of the six area councils in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

    VDM also took to his Facebook page to urge the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate the matter.

    He had said, “For over 9 weeks, our public primary school kids in the Federal Capital Territory have been out of school.

    “According to their books, they claimed they are paying these primary school teachers 80 thousand naira and above, depending on their level.

    “Sadly, they lied to them because till now they are still being paid 30 thousand naira, and upon this they have been owed salaries, and for this reason the teachers decided to go on strike.

    “@officialasiwajubat this is not the future you promised Nigerians. Our children will be limited to a brighter future without this basic education. @officialefcc please we demand a deep investigation on the board in charge of their salaries so as to clear this mess and send these innocent kids back to school.”

    The social critic on Monday gathered school children in uniforms and held a class where he instructed them on the letters of the alphabet.

    “S for Suegbe, T for Tinubu, W for Wike,” VDM called out, while the children repeated.

    VDM stated at the protest ground that Wike’s gate would henceforth serve as the pupils’ new classroom.

  • Threat remarks: Who are you that people can’t criticise? – Adeyanju, VDM drag Pastor Ibiyeomie

    Threat remarks: Who are you that people can’t criticise? – Adeyanju, VDM drag Pastor Ibiyeomie

    Popular Nigerian pastor, David Ibiyeomie of Salvation Ministries has come under heavy criticisms for  threatening to arrest those making negative posts about him.

    It would be recalled that the clergyman during a recent service warned bloggers against deliberately twisting his messages, adding that he would take firm action against anyone who “crosses the line.”

    “My type when I go after people, they will now send people to come and beg. So I’m warning you for the last time. Next time, there will be nothing like a warning. If you dare it. A young man, I know you. Your father won’t beg me, I know your father too. Your mother won’t beg me. I will deal with you.

    “Because when I pick them and people say, why do you go like this? You know, people are one kind – some people will be for me and some people will be against me. But for me, there are always many.

    “Don’t carry my news. I don’t want your news. You won’t make me popular. Already, I am talking to the world. Good or bad, don’t carry my news. I don’t want you to carry it. Don’t carry news from this church,” he said.

    Reacting to the clergyman’s submission via X, Nigerian lawyer and activist, Deji Adeyanju and social media critic, VeryDarkMan slammed the clergy, arguing that people criticised Jesus and did not get locked up.

    Adeyanju wrote, “I’m so disappointed in Papa David Ibiyeomie warning and threatening Nigerians not to talk or criticize him or his church else he will lock them up.Who are you sir that people can’t talk about your church or criticize you?People criticized Jesus and He did not lock them up.”

    The outspoken activist also accused the pastor of using fear and intimidation tactics to silence dissent and scrutiny.

    He added: “Boasting about using police to lock people up, a pastor ooo! These pastors are acting like unbelievers and de-marketing Christianity.They are the reason many people are no longer going to church”

    Verydarkman on his part dared the pastor to lock any individual up for simply speaking about him online.

    The activist said in part …“I know you travel around the world, have you seen anybody using police to lock up people? That means you are using your influence now to say that you can use the police to oppress. You can’t try this in other countries becuase those police would do their investigations. You cannot command police to do anything whether you are influential or not. That is why I say even the pastors follow spoil the country, but people don’t understand what I was saying. Nobody dey fear you. Who are you that we will fear, are you not a human being?”

  • Falana vs VDM: Court orders VeryDarkMan to file defence in case involving Bobrisky

    Falana vs VDM: Court orders VeryDarkMan to file defence in case involving Bobrisky

    An Ikeja High Court has ordered Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), to file his defence in a case instituted against him by Femi Falana, involving Okuneye Idris Olanrewaju, aka Bobrisky.

    The High Court dished the order on Tuesday, awarded N200,000 in costs and dismissed preliminary objections filed by the social media celebrity.

    Recall human rights lawyer, Mr Falana (SAN), and his musician son, Folarin Falana (Falz), had filed a N1 billion defamation suit against VDM.

    Falana initiated the suit after an audio recording by cross-dresser Bobrisky accused him and his son of perverting justice.

    The claimants are seeking N500 million each in damages over a video posted by VDM on his social media platforms.

    Justice Fimisola Azeez dismissed VDM’s objections and ordered him to pay N100,000 each to both claimants as costs.

    The judge also directed the respondent to promptly file his defence to the defamation claims made against him.

    VDM had challenged the court’s jurisdiction, arguing that the alleged offence occurred outside Lagos State.

    In reply, the claimants filed a counter-affidavit and a written address, urging the court to dismiss the objection.

    The court rejected VDM’s preliminary objection and adjourned the case until July 8 for mention, instructing him to file his defence.

    VDM is being sued over a video posted on his Instagram handle on 24 Sept. 24, 2024, alleged to contain defamatory remarks.

    When the case was called, Falana was absent but represented by his lawyers, Ernest Olawanle and Femi Akinyemi.

    Falz appeared in court, while VDM was absent but represented by his counsel, Mr Marvin Omorogbe.

    The claimants accused VDM of character assassination and urged the court to order him to issue a public apology.

    They also requested a court order restraining VDM from publishing similar or identical defamatory statements.

    Furthermore, they asked the court to declare VDM’s Instagram post as libellous, injurious, derogatory, and defamatory.

    They are demanding N500 million each — totalling N1 billion — in damages from the defendant.

    They also requested a perpetual injunction preventing the defendant and his agents from further defamatory publications.

    Additionally, the claimants want the court to order VDM to publish an apology across all his social media platforms and in a national daily.

    Justice Mathias Dawodu had on April 15 struck out a pre-emptive suit filed by the claimants due to a pending substantive case before Justice Azeez.

    Dawodu ruled that hearing the pre-emptive suit would be academic and a waste of the court’s time.

    VDM had also filed for a stay of proceedings, but his application was struck out due to the ongoing substantive matter.

  • IGP re-arraigns VeryDarkMan

    IGP re-arraigns VeryDarkMan

    The Inspector-General (I-G) of Police, on Thursday, re-arraigned controversial social media influencer, Martins Otse, popularly called VeryDarkMan (VDM), for allegedly cyberbullying actresses Iyabo Ojo and Tonto Dikeh.

    VDM was also alleged to have cyberbullied famous Nigerian producer and singer, Samuel Oguachuba, also known as Samklef, among others.

    He was re-arraigned before Justice Musa Liman of the Federal High Court in Abuja on five-count charge. He, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

    His lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, prayed the court to allow VDM to continue on the earlier bail granted by Justice Mobolaji Olajuwon of a sister court.

    Counsel to the I-G, Victor Okoye, did not object and the judge admitted him to the earlier bail terms and adjourned the matter until July 24 for trial.

    VDM had, on May 22, 2024, arraigned before Justice Olajuwon on same offences contrary to and punishable under Section 24 of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Act, 2015.

    He was remanded and granted a N10 million bail on June 10, 2024, by the judge with two sureties who must be employee of reputable company or Level 17 officers in a federal civil service with evidence of three years’ tax clearance.

    The charge, marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/140/2024 dated and filed on March 28, 2024, was, however, re-assigned to Justice Liman, following Justice Olajuwon’s transfer to another division of the Federal High Court.

    In count one, VDM was alleged to have on or about Oct. 13, 2023, intentionally published via a video posted on his Instagram handle ‘verydarkblackman’, (aka verydarkblackman) threatening and bullying words, to harass Samuel Oguachuba.

    In count two, he was alleged to have, on or about Oct  29, 2023,  intentionally posted videos, by means of computer system on his Instagram handles which contained information that was grossly offensive, pornographic or of an indecent, obscene or menacing character against Iyabo Ojo.

    In the video, he was alleged to have stated that “one Ivabo Ojo is having indecent sexual relationship with her daughter.”

    VDM was also accused to have, on or about Jan. 19, 2024, knowingly posted videos on his Instagram handles where he “falsely published that King Tonto Dikeh is accused of criminal conversion of the proceeds of crowd funding for Justice for Mobbad Movement, and being the person behind the gistlover blog.”

    In count four, the defendant was alleged to have intentionally posted videos on March 19, 2024, on his Instagram handle against the Deputy-Inspector Generals (DIGs) of Police and lawmakers in the National Assembly considered to be annoying and insulting.

  • It is a lie against me – VeryDarkMan breaks silence on arrest, money laundering allegation

    It is a lie against me – VeryDarkMan breaks silence on arrest, money laundering allegation

    Controversial online activist Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM) has broken his silence following his arrest by the operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    VeryDarkMan, known for his outspoken commentary on social media, was reportedly arrested last week on allegations of cyberstalking and money laundering. He, however, was granted bail some couple of days ago.

    Speaking about his detention, VeryDarkMan disclosed that his phone is still with the EFCC, as he expressed concerns that the agency might have tampered with his personal documents.

    In a now-viral video, VeryDarkMan revealed that upon release, he had to buy another phone to come online.

    He said, “My phone is currently with the EFCC, but I bought another one after I was released. When I tried to log into my iCloud account, I realised I could no longer access it.”

    VeryDarkMan cautioned the EFCC against publishing a photo allegedly taken during his time in custody and labeling the placard with money laundering allegation, warning of possible legal action.

    “EFCC, I want us to start a friendship, but what could ruin that friendship is if you people post the picture you took of me and label it as money laundering,” he said. “If you post that picture claiming it’s about money laundering, then you should also release the full context behind it.”

    He further stressed, “If I see my picture on your website with a caption suggesting money laundering, you’ll have to prove it. That’s where our issue will begin—and we will settle it in court. It might even become the first open court case of its kind.”

    According to him, associating the image with money laundering allegations would imply deliberate misinformation. “If you truly want friendship, remove any association of that image with money laundering, because it’s a lie against me. I don’t mind anything else you put up—no problem. In fact, I even want to use your placard as my profile picture,” he added.

    VeryDarkMan expressed concern that the EFCC had accessed personal data from his phone. “They didn’t just keep my phone—they logged me out of my iCloud account, meaning they now have access to everything on that phone, including many videos and pieces of evidence. I have a strong feeling they won’t return the phone. And even if they do, the phone is as good as gone,” he added.

  • Just In: VeryDarkMan regains freedom from EFCC custody

    Just In: VeryDarkMan regains freedom from EFCC custody

    Controversial online activist Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), has been released from the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    VeryDarkMan, known for his outspoken commentary on social media, was reportedly arrested some couple of days ago on allegations of cyberstalking.

    The social media influencer’ arrest triggered a strong backlash online, with many accusing the commission of engaging in a crackdown on dissent.

    Earlier, TheNewsGuru reports that some youths on Monday took to the streets of Abuja to demand his immediate release.

    According to the anti-graft agency, the activist’ arrest was due to his failure to honour several invitations over allegations of financial misconduct.

    On Wednesday evening, activist and politician Omoyele Sowore confirmed VDM’s release via his official Facebook page with the short update: “VDM Released!”

    In another post on his 𝕏 handle, Sowore wrote: “Thanks to unrelenting efforts of all VeryDarkMan has been released from unjust detention at the EFCC! He is with his ebullient lawyer, Deji Adeyanju #RevolutionNow”

    The EFCC has yet to issue a formal statement confirming the release.

  • ‘He shunned invitations’ – EFCC finally breaks silence on VeryDarkMan’s arrest

    ‘He shunned invitations’ – EFCC finally breaks silence on VeryDarkMan’s arrest

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has disclosed why its operatives arrested social media activist Martins Otse, also known as VeryDarkMan.

    TheNewsGuru reports that the anti-graft via a statement on Tuesday on its social media handles stated that it arrested VeryDarkMan over a series of petitions bordering on sundry issues of alleged financial crimes raised against him.

    Recall that Otse was reportedly arrested last week at a Guaranty Trust Bank branch in Abuja by operatives of the anti-graft agency.

    Speaking further, the Agency stated that the Commission is aware of several unguarded attacks of VDM against its operations, adding that, while such conduct is condemnable, his arrest was not informed by such attacks.

    The statement read: “The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, in the exercise of its mandate of tackling economic and financial crimes, invited Martins Innocent Otse owing to a series of petitions bordering on sundry issues of alleged financial crimes raised against him. He refused to show up in spite of several invitations sent to him through his known addresses and medium of communication. The petitions pertain to grave allegations of financial malfeasance which cannot be ignored by the Commission.

    “It is needful to admit that the Commission is aware of several unguarded attacks of the suspect against its operations. While such conduct is condemnable, his arrest was not informed by such attacks. The relevant law enforcement agency will be allowed to look into them.

    “The EFCC has a lawful right to hold Otse in custody like any other suspect being investigated by the Commission. The appropriate Remand Order was obtained in this regard. He has been offered an administrative bail and would be released after fulfilling all the bail conditions.

    “The Commission appreciates the interest of Nigerians in its operations. The passion, enthusiasm and torrential reactions to all of its activities are welcome. However, insinuations about its motive in carrying out its assignment should no longer continue. The EFCC should be allowed to do its job without fear or favour. As soon as investigations are concluded, charges will be filed.”