The police on Thursday brought controversial influencer Martins Otse, known as Verydarkman (VDM), before the Federal High Court in Abuja for a second time.
He is accused of using social media to insult and bully several Nigerian public figures, including actresses Iyabo Ojo and Tonto Dikeh, as well as singer and producer Samuel Oguachuba, popularly called Samklef.
The fresh arraignment took place before Justice Musa Liman, where the police presented a five-count charge.
VDM pleaded not guilty to all the accusations.
His case was reassigned to Justice Liman after the previous judge, Justice Mobolaji Olajuwon, was moved to another court division.
This development comes nearly a year after he was first charged in May 2024.
According to court records, the influencer allegedly posted videos on Instagram that contained offensive and damaging remarks.
One of the posts, made in October 2023, reportedly targeted Samklef, while another shared later that same month accused Ojo of being involved in an inappropriate relationship with her daughter.
In January 2024, he was also said to have claimed that Dikeh misused money raised for the Justice for Mobbad Movement and was secretly running the popular blog, Gistlover.
In another video published in March, he allegedly insulted top police officials and members of the National Assembly.
These acts are said to go against the Cybercrime Act of 2015, which outlines penalties for online harassment and spreading false information.
The judge allowed the influencer to continue under the same bail conditions granted to him earlier—terms that include providing two sureties who must meet specific employment and tax requirements.
The case has been adjourned until July 24, 2025, for trial.
