Abuja’s Chief Magistrate Court has granted social media critic Martins Otse, popularly known as "VeryDarkMan," bail set at N2 million following his court appearance on Thursday. Otse faced charges related to a recent viral video in which he wore a Nigerian Police Force (NPF) uniform without authorization, a move that has ignited public interest and legal scrutiny.
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command announced Otse’s arraignment, citing the case as part of the NPF’s dedication to safeguarding the integrity of its symbols and uniforms. In a statement on X (formerly Twitter), the police emphasized their commitment to preventing unauthorized use of police uniforms, especially after Otse referred to himself as “CSP VeryDarkMan” and claimed to be Nigeria’s “number one online police officer.”
In court, the defense counsel, Deji Ayedanju, shared details of the bail conditions: two sureties must each provide means of identification, deposit their international passports, and supply utility bills and affidavits guaranteeing Otse’s availability for trial. The sureties must also reside within the jurisdiction of the Abuja Municipal Area Council. The prosecutor was instructed to verify the sureties' addresses as a condition of the bail.
As the trial unfolds, the case promises to draw attention to the boundaries between social media freedom and lawful representation of the nation's institutions.