Court grants VeryDarkMan N2m bail

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The Chief Magistrate Court in Abuja has granted N2 million bail to detained social media critic Martins Otse, commonly known as VeryDarkMan, along with several stringent conditions.

VeryDarkMan was arraigned on Friday in Court 1 of the Chief Magistrate Court, Wuse Zone 6, in the Federal Capital Territory for the unauthorized use of a police uniform.

According to the bail terms shared by his counsel, Deji Ayedanju, the court stipulated that the sureties must provide valid means of identification and sign an affidavit affirming their commitment to ensure the defendant’s presence throughout the trial.

Additionally, the court instructed the prosecutor to verify the addresses of the sureties, who must also submit their utility bills. Ayedanju further stated that VeryDarkMan is required to sign an affidavit confirming his availability during the trial.

He said, “Two million, two sureties in like terms. Sureties to deposit international passports, sureties to provide means of Identification. Sureties to depose to affidavit to provide the defendant during trial at all times.

Reports indicate that the police detained VeryDarkMan on Thursday evening, just hours after he issued a public apology for wearing their uniform in a viral video where he referred to himself as a CSP of an online division.

He shared the apology in a video on his social media platforms following his questioning by the police on Wednesday for alleged impersonation.

In the video, the social media influencer expressed that he was unaware of the protocols regarding police uniforms, stating he did not know that permission was required to wear such attire.

He advised fellow content creators to seek the necessary clearance from law enforcement before using similar uniforms in their content.

However, Adeyanju noted that VeryDarkMan was taken into custody after responding to a police invitation on Thursday. In a post on his X account, Adeyanju revealed that his client had also complied with a similar invitation on Wednesday.

The post reads, “Our client, VDM, has been detained after honouring a police invitation just like yesterday. VDM has been consistent in stating that the Nigerian Police are our friends, even when we all know they are not.”