Popular social media influencer, Martins Otse, known online as “VeryDarkMan,” was granted bail on Friday by a Chief Magistrate Court in Abuja following charges of impersonating a police officer.
Appearing before Court 1, Chief Magistrate Court, Wuse Zone 6, in the Federal Capital Territory, Otse faced charges in case no. CR/510/2024: Commissioner of Police v. Vincent Martins Otse aka VeryDarkMan. The court set stringent bail conditions, including a N2 million bond and two sureties who must reside within Abuja. Each surety is required to provide identification, proof of residency, utility bills, and must submit their passports to the court.
The court further mandated that both the sureties and Otse sign affidavits guaranteeing his appearance for all trial dates. Additionally, the prosecutor was instructed to verify the securities’ addresses to ensure compliance.
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This case emerged after the Nigeria Police Force accused Otse of impersonation, stemming from his appearance in a viral video wearing a police uniform. Earlier on Friday, the police issued a statement affirming its commitment to preserving the integrity of its symbols, urging the public to follow the case closely as it unfolds.
Otse’s lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, revealed that his client was detained after responding to a police invitation on Thursday. Adeyanju expressed disappointment with the police, citing that Otse, despite his online criticisms, had complied with all requests and continued to cooperate.
This development has sparked discussions on social media regarding the use of official uniforms and the freedom of expression among online influencers, making this a closely watched case as the trial proceeds.
