The Nigeria Police have announced that Martins Otse, better known to his followers as social media influencer and blogger VeryDarkMan, will appear in court to face charges of impersonation.
According to a statement from the police, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command will be responsible for prosecuting the case, with the first court appearance scheduled for Friday (today).
The charges stem from allegations that Otse, known online as VeryDarkMan, made unauthorized use of Nigeria Police Force uniforms in a video that went viral on social media, which the police claim constitutes impersonation.
In a statement released on its official X handle, the police emphasized their commitment to upholding the integrity of its symbols and protecting the public image of the force from misuse or unauthorized representation. The statement urged interested individuals to follow the proceedings as the case develops.
The statement read, “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.”
It continued, “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.”
Meanwhile, prominent lawyer and counsel to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Ifeanyi Ejiofor, reacted to the news of VeryDarkMan’s prosecution, expressing concerns that the government's focus on prosecuting social media influencers might serve as a distraction from more pressing national issues.
In a post on his X handle on Friday, Ejiofor suggested that Nigerians should prioritize attention on significant issues impacting the country’s future.
Ejiofor wrote, “While Nigerians were busy being distracted and exchanging tantrums over Bobrisky, VeryDarkMan, and other inanities, the real enemies of this country or, better put, the so-called owners of this contraption called Nigeria, were smartly and clandestinely trying to smuggle in a bill to expand Islamic Laws in Nigeria.”
He added a cautionary note, “One day, we may all wake up in this country only to find that the entire nation has been Islamized.”