Martin Otse, the controversial social media critic known as VeryDarkMan, has been remanded in police custody on charges of cyberbullying.
Otse was arraigned at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday, facing five counts of cyberstalking.
The charges, filed by the Nigerian police, allege that Otse posted videos on his Instagram handle containing information that was “grossly offensive, pornographic, or of an indecent, obscene, or menacing character.”
One of the charges specifically claims that Otse alleged Iyabo Ojo was involved in an indecent sexual relationship with her daughter.
Another charge asserts that Otse accused Tonto Dikeh of being behind the gossip blog Gistlover.
Otse pleaded not guilty to all the charges. Despite his plea, he is expected to remain in police custody until his next court hearing, scheduled for next Wednesday.
Deji Adeyanju, Otse’s lawyer, applied for bail on his behalf. However, the prosecution requested more time to respond to the bail application.
Judge Mobolaji Olajuwon granted the prosecution’s request, adjourning the bail hearing to May 29.
Following the court session, Otse was taken to the National Cybercrime Centre.
