Martins Olasehinde
ABUJA – A detained social critic in Nigeria, Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM) has been granted stringent bail conditions by a Chief Magistrate Court in the country’s capital Abuja.
VeryDarkMan was arraigned on Friday at Court 1, Chief Magistrate Court, Wuse Zone 6, in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) for allegedly impersonating a policeman.
The police on Thursday evening detained VeryDarkMan after honouring a police invitation, his attorney, Deji Adeyanju had said, adding that VDM had honoured a similar invitation on Wednesday.
VeryDarkMan had tendered a public apology to the police for using their uniform in a viral video where he described himself as a CSP of an online division.
VeryDarkMan made the apology in a video he posted on his X account after he was grilled by the police on Wednesday for alleged impersonation.
He professed unawareness of the protocol, stating he didn’t know police permission was required to wear police uniforms or other similar ones.
The social media critic, therefore, cautioned fellow content creators to obtain necessary clearance from law enforcement before using similar uniforms for content purposes.
On Friday morning, the Nigeria Police Force announced on social media: “In response to recent developments, VDM, whose real name is Mr. Martins Otse, is set to appear in court today following allegations of impersonation related to the unauthorized use of Nigeria Police Force uniforms in a viral social media video.
“The FCT Police Command is actively handling the case, underscoring the Nigeria Police Force’s commitment to upholding the integrity of its symbols and preventing their misuse. Interested persons are encouraged to follow up on the proceedings as the case unfolds.”
However, VeryDarkMan was granted ₦2 million bail in the ruling of the court in charge no. CR/510/2024: Commissioner of Police v. Vincent Martins Otse aka VeryDarkMan. The bail conditions include the provision of two sureties in like terms and sureties are to deposit their passports with the court, and the sureties must reside within the court’s jurisdiction, particularly Abuja municipal.
Sureties are also to provide means of identification and depose to affidavit to provide the defendant during trial at all times.
The court also ruled that the prosecutor should verify the sureties’ addresses while the sureties will also provide their utility bills.
The court also ruled that VeryDarkMan will depose to an affidavit that he will be available at all times during trial.