Egbetokun Drags VDM Through Court for Allegedly Cyberbullying Iyabo Ojo, Tonto Dikeh, Others

Popular social media influencer, Martins Vincent Otse, better known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), has been re-arraigned on Wednesday before Justice Musa Liman of the Federal High Court in Abuja.

The re-arraignment comes after fresh allegations of cyberbullying involving several Nigerian celebrities and public figures.

The Inspector-General of Police brought a five-count charge against the controversial figure, accusing him of using social media to harass and defame individuals, including actresses Iyabo Ojo and Tonto Dikeh, music producer Samklef, and other notable personalities.

According to the charge sheet, VDM allegedly posted a series of videos between October 2023 and March 2024 on his Instagram handle, in which he made threatening, obscene, and offensive remarks.

The content was said to be intended to cause public annoyance, embarrassment, and psychological harm.

One of the counts accused him of threatening Samklef in a video posted on October 13, 2023.

Another accused him of sharing indecent and offensive material targeting Iyabo Ojo later that month.

On January 19, 2024, he allegedly made defamatory claims about Tonto Dikeh, accusing her of mismanaging funds raised through crowdfunding and being affiliated with a controversial gossip blog.

Further allegations involved derogatory posts about members of the National Assembly, senior police officials, and claims that crossdresser Bobrisky was involved in unethical conduct with political elites.

VDM pleaded not guilty to all the charges. His counsel, human rights activist Deji Adeyanju, requested that his client continue under the bail conditions previously granted by Justice Mobolaji Olajuwon, who had earlier handled the case before being reassigned.

The court agreed, allowing VDM to remain on the existing bail terms, which include a ₦10 million bond and two sureties with federal civil service standing.

Justice Liman adjourned the case until July 24, 2025, for trial.

The re-arraignment underscores growing legal scrutiny of social media conduct in Nigeria, especially among influencers with large followings.

The case also raises broader questions about the limits of free speech in the digital age and the responsibility of content creators in shaping public discourse.