VeryDarkMan
VeryDarkMan | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | Martins Vincent Otse[1] 8 April 1994 Kaduna, Nigeria |
| Other names |
|
| Education | University of Lagos (BBA) |
| Occupations | |
| Years active | 2020–present |
| Movement | |
Martins Vincent Otse[2] (born 8 April 1994),[3] popularly known as VeryDarkMan, is a Nigerian revolutionary, activist, human rights activist, critic, philanthropist, and influencer who is a prominent figure in Nigerian civil and political rights.[4] A controversial figure accused of speaking ill of injustice and bad governance.[5] He grew up in Kaduna, Nigeria.[6]
Early years
[edit]Martins Vincent Otse was born on 8 April 1994 in Kaduna, Nigeria.[7] Although born in Kaduna, he is originally from Agenebode, Etsako-East, Edo State. Otse spent his formative years in Kaduna.[8]
Career and public recognition
[edit]VeryDarkMan's social media activism career commenced in 2022.[9] Initially, he garnered attention through his interactions with Nigerian celebrities, which led to an increase in his online following. Subsequently, he began posting a series of videos that sparked controversy. By early 2023, his content had gone viral, further amplifying the controversy surrounding his online presence.[10]
In June 2023, Nigerian singer Davido followed him on Instagram and publicly endorsed him.[11] This recognition was followed by a nomination for the Silverbird's Most Influential Social Media Influencer of the Year award in January 2024.[12][13]
Controversy
[edit]Otse was arrested in March 2024 on allegations of cyberbullying and cyberstalking, including false accusations against Nigerian actresses and officials.[14] He pleaded not guilty and was remanded in police custody until his hearing on May 29, 2024. After two weeks in detention, he was released.[15] In June 2024, he was arrested again at his Abuja residence on defamation charges related to a social media expose.[16] Otse was questioned by police on June 30, 2024, regarding defamation allegations and released shortly after. No arrest was made, contrary to initial reports.[17]
On September 26, 2024, Falana & Falana Chambers issued a 24-hour ultimatum to Otse via a letter, demanding an immediate retraction and apology for allegedly defamatory statements against Femi Falana, made in his September 25, 2024 Instagram post.[18]
On May 2, 2025, he was arrested on allegation of cyberstalking shortly after he visited Guarantee Trust Bank branch in Abuja, where he complained about alleged unauthorized deduction of funds from his mother's account.[19][20] This arrest was carried out by men on mask who identity were later reveled as EFCC.[21] After five days in detention, he was released on administrative bail on 7 May, 2025.[22]
Otse was accused of inciting Onista bridge head drug traders to defy regulatory order in a statement released by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control's Director General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, on May 26th, 2025.[23] This was shortly after Otse visited the Ogbo Ogwu market and called out the DG of NAFDAC to stop the extortion as it was allegedly said by the traders that they have to pay a certain amount of money before they can embark om their business.[24]
On 16th June, 2025, following the humanitarian catastrophe reported as "deadly attack" on Yelwata community of Benue State.[25][26] Otse was engaged in a peaceful protest alongside the youth of the community demanding for immediate intervention of the Nigeria government, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Benue State government.[27] as the protesters cover the Wurukum food market round-about Makurdi.
A week later, he led another protest with primary school pupils in Abuja over nine-week primary school teachers' strike for the failure of area council chairpersons to implement the new national minimum wage of N70,000.[28]
References
[edit]- ^ "10 things to know about fast-rising online police VeryDarkMan". 2 October 2023. Archived from the original on 12 October 2023. Retrieved 2 July 2024.
- ^ Benjamin Njoku (28 September 2024). "VeryDarkMan: A pain to many". Vanguard Newspaper. Retrieved 5 May 2025.
- ^ Kareem, Azeez (22 May 2024). "Social Media Critic Verydarkman Faces Cyberbullying Charges". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 30 June 2024. Retrieved 2 July 2024.
- ^ Deborah Bodunde (28 September 2024). "MAN IN THE NEWS: Who can tame the controversial activist VeryDarkMan?". TheCable. Retrieved 5 May 2025.
- ^ Sahara (30 June 2024). "VeryDarkMan Arrested For Exposing Alleged Fraudster, Born in the Trap". Sahara Reporters. Archived from the original on 30 June 2024. Retrieved 2 July 2024.
- ^ Ankrah, Shalom (2 October 2023). "VeryDarkMan: 6 Facts About him and Quick Rise to Fame". Legit.ng. Archived from the original on 12 October 2023. Retrieved 2 July 2024.
- ^ "Biography of Martins Vincent Otse". People. Retrieved 27 March 2024.
- ^ "VeryDarkMan(VDM): Nigeria's Digital Vigilante and the Power of One Voice". Biopreneur. Retrieved 27 March 2024.
- ^ Ayomikunle Daramola (5 May 2025). "'Oppression of young voices' — Obi condemns 'abduction' of VeryDarkMan". TheCable. Retrieved 5 May 2025.
- ^ Taiwo, Owolawi (22 October 2023). "VeryDarkBlackMan Who Went from Being Dragged to Becoming Celebrity". Legit.ng. Archived from the original on 6 February 2024. Retrieved 2 July 2024.
- ^ Onu, Stephen (28 December 2023). "Hilda Baci, Ilebaye, Very Dark Black Man, other breakout celebrities of 2023". Premium Times. Archived from the original on 6 February 2024. Retrieved 2 July 2024.
- ^ "Influencer of The Year – Silverbird Man of The Year". Silverbird. 4 January 2024. Archived from the original on 17 April 2024. Retrieved 2 July 2024.
- ^ Ogugua, Ifezulike (12 January 2024). "Smoty: Tunde Ednut, Don Jazzy, Very Dark Black man, Others Nominated For Silverbird Most Influential Influencer". Rhythm. Archived from the original on 26 February 2024. Retrieved 2 July 2024.
- ^ Sulaimon, Adekunle (22 May 2024). "Verydarkman remanded in police custody for cyberbullying". Punch Newspapers. Archived from the original on 5 June 2024. Retrieved 30 June 2024.
- ^ Sulaimon, Adekunle (10 June 2024). "VeryDarkMan regains freedom after two weeks detention". Punch Newspapers. Archived from the original on 30 June 2024. Retrieved 30 June 2024.
- ^ Johnson, Hannah (30 June 2024). "Police arrest VeryDarkMan over defamation allegations". Punch Newspapers. Archived from the original on 1 July 2024. Retrieved 30 June 2024.
- ^ "BREAKING: Nigerian Blogger VeryDarkMan Released Hours After Police Arrest For Exposing Alleged Fraudster | Sahara Reporters". Sahara Reporters. Archived from the original on 30 June 2024. Retrieved 30 June 2024.
- ^ "BREAKING: Femi Falana Gives VeryDarkMan 24 Hours To Issue Public Apology Over 'Wicked, Offensive, Derogatory' Bribery Allegations Involving Bob risky | Sahara Reporters". saharareporters.com. Retrieved 26 September 2024.
- ^ efosataiwo@vanguardngr.com (2 May 2025). "Updated: VeryDarkMan arrested by police". Vanguard News. Retrieved 3 May 2025.
- ^ "Social media activist VeryDarkMan arrested by police in Abuja bank | Pulse Nigeria". www.pulse.ng. Retrieved 9 June 2025.
- ^ Audu, Umar (5 May 2025). "Why we arrested Very Dark Man - EFCC". Daily Nigerian. Retrieved 10 July 2025.
- ^ "VeryDarkMan Freed After EFCC Arrest Sparks Nationwide Outcry". Phisk. 7 May 2025. Retrieved 8 May 2025.
- ^ Chioma, Unini (26 May 2025). "NAFDAC Accuses Very Dark Man Of Inciting Onitsha Drug Traders To Defy Regulatory Orders". TheNigeriaLawyer. Retrieved 10 July 2025.
- ^ Okere, Alexander (27 May 2025). "Onitsha Drug Market: NAFDAC Counters Obi, VDM, Says ₦700,000 Charges Lawful". Channels Television. Retrieved 10 July 2025.
- ^ "Urgent steps needed to avert humanitarian catastrophe in Benue, Nigeria". Amnesty International. 10 July 2025. Retrieved 14 July 2025.
- ^ "More than 218 killed in latest spate of deadly attacks in Nigeria". Open Doors UK & Ireland. Retrieved 14 July 2025.
- ^ Okere, Alexander (15 June 2025). "VeryDarkMan, Angry Youths Protest, Demand End To Killings In Benue". Channels Television. Retrieved 14 July 2025.
- ^ Omosola, Friday (23 June 2025). "Activist leads protest in Abuja over nine-week primary school teachers' strike". Premium Times Nigeria. Retrieved 14 July 2025.