In a significant legal development, Falana & Falana Chambers, led by renowned lawyer Femi Falana (SAN), has secured bail for social media influencer and blogger Martins Vincent Otse, commonly known as VeryDarkMan.
The police arrested Otse on June 30, 2024, following allegations of criminal defamation linked to a social media post. The chambers provided pro bono legal services in the case against the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, highlighting their commitment to defending the rights of individuals facing legal challenges.
VeryDarkMan is accused of cyberstalking Samuel Oguachuba, known as Samklef, through a series of threatening comments posted on his Instagram handle. Court documents (Charge No.: FHC/ABJ/CR/149/2024) outline the allegations, asserting that Otse published intimidating remarks intended to instil fear of violence or bodily harm in Oguachuba.
The allegations stem from an audio recording shared online, in which cross-dresser Idris Okuneye, popularly known as Bobrisky, allegedly confessed to bribing Economic and Financial Crimes Commission officials to avoid a jail term. In the recording, Bobrisky claimed to have paid N15 million to have money laundering charges dropped and served her six-month sentence outside prison.
Otse’s recent troubles began when he posted claims implicating prominent figures, including Falana, in the controversy surrounding Bobrisky. Following these posts, the Falanas sent legal letters demanding a retraction and public apology within 24 hours, characterising Otse’s statements as “vicious, wicked, and reckless.”
Despite these pressures, Otse later issued a public apology during a session at the Nigerian House of Representatives, expressing regret for involving Falana in the controversy. “Here, I apologise. It’s so sad that his name was inside that audio. I couldn’t believe as well; that is the part that irritated me more when I said I refuse to believe that he is a party to something like that,” he stated.
According to sources from Falana & Falana Chambers, the firm has provided ongoing legal assistance to VeryDarkMan without charging for its services. “Marshal Abubakar of Falana & Falana’s Chambers led Deji Adeyanju of Deji Adeyanju & Co. in Vincent Otse’s criminal trial. The firm has never charged him for our legal assistance and has expended resources to ensure his defence,” a source revealed.
The legal firm intervened on two separate occasions to secure Otse’s release from police custody without any fees. Following the June 30 arrest, the Federal Capital Territory Police Command’s Commissioner, Mr. Benneth Igwe, confirmed Otse’s release later that same day.
The case highlights the ongoing issues surrounding social media defamation and the legal challenges that bloggers and influencers face in Nigeria.
The legal complexities are further compounded by the allegations of bribery and corruption raised against Femi Falana and his son, Folarin Falana (Falz), making this a high-profile case with significant public interest.
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This report is inspired by similar coverage on LegalLinkz.com, which highlights the complexities surrounding VeryDarkMan’s case and its implications for freedom of expression in Nigeria’s digital landscape.
