Social media critic Martin Otse, widely known as VeryDarkMan, has been released from detention after spending over two weeks behind bars.
Originally scheduled for release one week after his arraignment by the police on May 22, 2024, for charges of cyberstalking and bullying, Otse’s freedom was celebrated in a viral video on X Monday as he walked amongst his supporters.
Recall that Otse faced arraignment 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 pleaded not guilty to these charges.
His legal representative, Deji Adeyanju, applied for bail, but the police prosecuting team requested more time to respond, leading to an adjournment of the bail hearing to May 29.
Despite the prosecution’s attempt to have Otse remanded in prison custody, his lawyers successfully argued for his remand in police custody instead, a decision granted by Justice Mobolaji Olajuwon. Subsequently, VeryDarkMan was transferred to the National Cybercrime Centre.
Details later…
