- VeryDarkMan was allegedly arrested by the police for cybercrime and defamation
- However, the FCT Police denied the arrest of VDM and claimed he was only invited for questioning
- Iyabo Ojo, Ka3na and others reacted to the alleged arrest
Controversial social media critic and activist, Martins Vincent Otse, popularly called VeryDarkMan was allegedly arrested at his residence in Abuja on Sunday, June 30, which would make it his third time this year.
VeryDarkMan
He was reportedly arrested for allegedly defaming an individual accused of fraud. The accused person allegedly defrauded a Nigerian citizen in the diaspora.
According to the statement made by his lawyer, Deji Adeyanju and Partners Chamber,
“Our client, @ThatVeryDarkMan, has just been arrested by the police on the orders of the Commissioner of Police in charge of the Federal Capital Territory Police Command, Mr Benneth Igwe. for exposing someone who allegedly duped a Nigerian abroad.
“Instead of the police arresting the person alleged to have committed fraud, they arrested VDM on grounds of defamation.”
Police deny arresting VeryDarkMan
However, sequel to the information circulated around concerning the arrest, the police released a report of the misinformation, stating that the popular Nigerian activist was only invited for questioning.
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command denied the report of the arrest and reiterated that he was invited for questioning on the allegations of cyberstalking, cyberbullying and defamation of character.
In the statement made by the FCT Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, she said VDM has been released after voluntarily providing his statement on the allegations.
In her words: “Contrary to the news making the rounds about the alleged arrest of Martins Vincent Otse popularly known as Verydarkman or VDM by the police, the FCT police command wishes to clarify that Verydarkman was not arrested by the police but was only invited for questioning on the allegations of cyber stalking, cyber bullying and defamation of character.
“He has since been released after voluntarily giving his statement on the allegations.”
Iyabo Ojo, Kate Jones, others react to VDM's arrest
Veteran actress, Iyabo Ojo, reacted to the arrest by stating that there is a difference between “defamation” and “insulting.” Iyabo Ojo and her husband had a clash with DVM when the latter claimed that Iyabo Ojo was not invited to Davido’s wedding but the after-party.
Paulo, the husband of Iyabo Ojo, who is also a music executive, called on his colleagues in the industry including the likes of Seun Kuti, Davido, Tunde Ednut and Cubana Chief Priest to distance themselves from VeryDarkMan.
Iyabo Ojo shared the video on her Instagram handle and blamed VDM’s mother for raising a beast. In her words: “VeryDarkMan’s mother, you did not try. If I see you one-on-one, I will ‘woze’ you slap. You raised a beast, not a human being.”
Also, Big Brother alumna, Kate Jones, popularly known as Ka3na, reacted to the arrest by commenting: “@verydarkblackman my dear, you need to actually know what you are doing on social media. Only a visionless person would repeatedly let himself be registered in the Nigerian police negatively with countless lawsuits.
“You would understand the impact of this when you choose to seek quality employment or relocate abroad. No country will admit a countless offender of law from his own country.
“All these arrests are being registered on Google and the police database. Please be cautious,”
@Ojoma321 commented: “You get freedom of speech but freedom after speech isn’t guaranteed.🤦♀️Why i go support 0nline Billionaires wey their money no dey touch my hand against VDM wey dey advocate for the poor masses with his popularity, without collecting a dime 🤷♂️#verydarkman.”
@Skarich20 wrote: “I like the way verydarkman nor dey fear anybody, because you get money make person nor talk truth again? Everybody must collect 😂😂😂.”
@OdanyeOluwafemi commented: “Dear Enemies of the Ugly-Truth, the voice of the voiceless 🙏 and our beloved VDM has been granted bail.😎 Truth wins at the end. VAMOS!!!”
Almajiri Nollywood": Veteran actors seen hustling for money online, get dragged by fans
Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that the current economic situation in Nigeria has forced many people to take on side hustles to survive.
This also included popular Nigerian actors like Victor Osuagwu and Nonso Diobi, who have been found soliciting for digital gifts.
The video, which was widely circulated, generated mixed reactions from Nigerians. Some supported them, while others felt the act was disgraceful.
