Controversial social media critic Martin Otse, widely known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), has been remanded in police custody. Drivetvnews has learned that VDM was arraigned in an Abuja court on Wednesday on charges related to cyberbullying.
VDM, as he is fondly called, pleaded not guilty to all charges but was remanded in police custody until his next hearing, scheduled for next Wednesday.
According to Drivetvnews, VDM’s lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, applied for bail, but the prosecution requested more time to respond. Consequently, the court adjourned the bail hearing to May 29.
It will be recalled that in April, VeryDarkMan was detained by police on accusations of cyberbullying. He claimed that his detention was connected to a video where he called for the arrest of Nigerian crossdresser Idris Okunneye, popularly known as Bobrisky, and alleged protection from gay politicians.
VeryDarkMan, who had previously called for Bobrisky’s arrest due to cross-dressing, alleged that powerful politicians who are his gay partners were protecting him.
In response to calls for the arrest of crossdressers in the country, the Force Police Public Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, clarified in a recent interview that the police cannot arrest transvestites as cross-dressing is not considered a crime in Nigeria.
He further clarified that without substantial evidence, the police are unable to take action against claims of crossdressers being gay, as it is not considered a criminal act in the absence of convincing proof.
