VeryDarkMan
{{Short description|Nigerian activist (born 1994)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2024}}
{{Infobox person
| name = VeryDarkMan
| image = Martins Vincent Otse.png
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1994|04|8}}
| birth_place = Kaduna, Nigeria
| other_names = {{hlist|VDM|Verydarkblackman|VeryBlackman|The Ratel}}
| occupation = {{flatlist|
}}
| education = University of Lagos (BBA)
| years_active = 2020{{ndash}}present
| movement = {{hlist|Advocacy|Civil rights|Internet activism|Revolutionary|Environmental movement|Political}}
| website =
}}
Martins Vincent Otse{{Cite web|author=Benjamin Njoku|date=September 28, 2024|title=VeryDarkMan: A pain to many|url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2024/09/verydarkman-a-pain-to-many/amp/|website=Vanguard Newspaper|access-date=May 5, 2025}} (born 8 April 1994),{{cite web |url=https://games.guardian.ng/social-media-critic-verydarkman-faces-cyberbullying-charges/ |last=Kareem |first=Azeez |title=Social Media Critic Verydarkman Faces Cyberbullying Charges |website=The Guardian |date=22 May 2024 |access-date=2 July 2024 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240630212059/https://games.guardian.ng/social-media-critic-verydarkman-faces-cyberbullying-charges/|archive-date=30 June 2024}} popularly known as VeryDarkMan, is a Nigerian revolutionary, activist, human rights activist, critic, philanthropist, and influencer who is a prominent figure in Nigerian civil and political rights.{{Cite web|author=Deborah Bodunde|date=September 28, 2024|title=MAN IN THE NEWS: Who can tame the controversial activist VeryDarkMan?
|url=https://lifestyle.thecable.ng/man-in-the-news-who-can-tame-the-controversial-activist-verydarkman/|website=TheCable|access-date=May 5, 2025}} A controversial figure accused of speaking ill of injustice and bad governance.{{cite news |url=https://saharareporters.com/2024/06/30/breaking-nigerian-blogger-verydarkman-arrested-exposing-alleged-fraudster-3-weeks-after#google_vignette|last=Sahara|title=VeryDarkMan Arrested For Exposing Alleged Fraudster, Born in the Trap |website=Sahara Reporters|date=30 June 2024 |access-date=2 July 2024 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240630204338/https://saharareporters.com/2024/06/30/breaking-nigerian-blogger-verydarkman-arrested-exposing-alleged-fraudster-3-weeks-after#google_vignette|archive-date=30 June 2024}} He grew up in Kaduna, Nigeria.{{Cite web |url=https://www.legit.ng/people/1555613-verydarkman-age-marital-status-martins-otses-rise-fame/ |last=Ankrah |first=Shalom |title=VeryDarkMan: 6 Facts About him and Quick Rise to Fame |website=Legit.ng |date=2 October 2023 |access-date=2 July 2024 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231012005138/https://www.legit.ng/people/1555613-verydarkman-age-marital-status-martins-otses-rise-fame/ |archive-date=12 October 2023}}
Early years
Martins Vincent Otse was born on 8 April, 1994 in Kaduna, Nigeria.{{Cite web |title=Biography of Martins Vincent Otse |url=https://biography.igbopeople.org/biography/martins-vincent-otse-verydarkman/ |url-status=live |website=People|access-date=March 27, 2024}} Although born in Kaduna, he is originally from Benin City, Edo State. Otse spent his formative years in Kaduna.{{Cite web |title=VeryDarkMan(VDM): Nigeria’s Digital Vigilante and the Power of One Voice |url=https://biopreneur.com.ng/verydarkmanvdm-nigerias-digital-vigilante-and-the-power-of-one-voice/ |url-status=live |website=Biopreneur|access-date=March 27, 2024}}
Career and public recognition
VeryDarkMan's social media activism career commenced in 2022.{{Cite web|author=Ayomikunle Daramola|date=May 5, 2025|title=‘Oppression of young voices’ — Obi condemns ‘abduction’ of VeryDarkMan|url=https://www.thecable.ng/oppression-of-young-voices-obi-condemns-abduction-of-verydarkman-nans-president/|website=TheCable|access-date=May 5, 2025}} Initially, he garnered attention through his interactions with Nigerian celebrities, which led to an increase in his online following. Subsequently, he began posting a series of videos that sparked controversy. By early 2023, his content had gone viral, further amplifying the controversy surrounding his online presence.{{cite web |url=https://www.legit.ng/entertainment/celebrities/1559831-verydarkblackman-tacha-4-nigerians-dragged-celebrities/ |last=Taiwo |first=Owolawi |title=VeryDarkBlackMan Who Went from Being Dragged to Becoming Celebrity |website=Legit.ng |date=22 October 2023 |access-date=2 July 2024 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240206102649/https://www.legit.ng/entertainment/celebrities/1559831-verydarkblackman-tacha-4-nigerians-dragged-celebrities/ |archive-date=6 February 2024}} In June 2023, Nigerian singer Davido followed him on Instagram and publicly endorsed him.{{cite web |url=https://www.premiumtimesng.com/entertainment/naija-fashion/654689-hilda-baci-ilebaye-very-dark-black-man-other-breakout-celebrities-of-2023.html |last=Onu |first=Stephen|title=Hilda Baci, Ilebaye, Very Dark Black Man, other breakout celebrities of 2023|website=Premium Times|date=28 December 2023 |access-date=2 July 2024 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240206102647/https://www.premiumtimesng.com/entertainment/naija-fashion/654689-hilda-baci-ilebaye-very-dark-man-other-breakout-celebrities-of-2023.html |archive-date=6 February 2024}} This recognition was followed by a nomination for the Silverbird's Most Influential Social Media Influencer of the Year award in January 2024.{{cite web |url=https://silverbirdmanoftheyear.com/influencer-of-the-year/|title=Influencer of The Year – Silverbird Man of The Year|website=Silverbird|date=4 January 2024 |access-date=2 July 2024 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240417153927/https://silverbirdmanoftheyear.com/influencer-of-the-year/ |archive-date=17 April 2024}}{{cite web |url=https://rhythm937.com/smoty-tunde-ednut-don-jazzy-very-dark-black-man-others-nominated-for-silverbird-most-influential-influencer/|last=Ogugua |first=Ifezulike |date=12 January 2024 |title=Smoty: Tunde Ednut, Don Jazzy, Very Dark Black man, Others Nominated For Silverbird Most Influential Influencer |website=Rhythm |access-date=2 July 2024 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240226040904/https://rhythm937.com/smoty-tunde-ednut-don-jazzy-very-dark-black-man-others-nominated-for-silverbird-most-influential-influencer/ |archive-date=26 February 2024}}
Controversy
Otse was arrested in March 2024 on allegations of cyberbullying and cyberstalking, including false accusations against Nigerian actresses and officials.{{Cite web |last=Sulaimon |first=Adekunle |date=2024-05-22 |title=Verydarkman remanded in police custody for cyberbullying |url=https://punchng.com/just-in-verydarkman-remanded-in-police-custody-for-cyberbullying/ |access-date=2024-06-30 |website=Punch Newspapers |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240605033510/https://punchng.com/just-in-verydarkman-remanded-in-police-custody-for-cyberbullying/ |archive-date=5 June 2024}} He pleaded not guilty and was remanded in police custody until his hearing on May 29, 2024. After two weeks in detention, he was released.{{Cite web |last=Sulaimon |first=Adekunle |date=2024-06-10 |title=VeryDarkMan regains freedom after two weeks detention |url=https://punchng.com/breaking-verydarkman-regains-freedom-after-two-weeks-detention/ |access-date=2024-06-30 |website=Punch Newspapers |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240630213337/https://punchng.com/breaking-verydarkman-regains-freedom-after-two-weeks-detention/ |archive-date=30 June 2024}} In June 2024, he was arrested again at his Abuja residence on defamation charges related to a social media expose.{{Cite web |last=Johnson |first=Hannah |date=2024-06-30 |title=Police arrest VeryDarkMan over defamation allegations |url=https://punchng.com/police-arrest-verydarkman-over-defamation-allegations/ |access-date=2024-06-30 |website=Punch Newspapers |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240701005500/https://punchng.com/police-arrest-verydarkman-over-defamation-allegations/ |archive-date=1 July 2024}} Otse was questioned by police on June 30, 2024, regarding defamation allegations and released shortly after. No arrest was made, contrary to initial reports.{{Cite web |title=BREAKING: Nigerian Blogger VeryDarkMan Released Hours After Police Arrest For Exposing Alleged Fraudster {{!}} Sahara Reporters |url=https://saharareporters.com/2024/06/30/breaking-nigerian-blogger-verydarkman-released-hours-after-police-arrest-exposing |access-date=2024-06-30 |website=Sahara Reporters|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240630222427/https://saharareporters.com/2024/06/30/breaking-nigerian-blogger-verydarkman-released-hours-after-police-arrest-exposing |archive-date=30 June 2024}}
On September 26, 2024, Falana & Falana Chambers issued a 24-hour ultimatum to Otse via a letter, demanding an immediate retraction and apology for allegedly defamatory statements against Femi Falana, made in his September 25, 2024 Instagram post.{{Cite web |title=BREAKING: Femi Falana Gives VeryDarkMan 24 Hours To Issue Public Apology Over ‘Wicked, Offensive, Derogatory’ Bribery Allegations Involving Bob risky {{!}} Sahara Reporters |url=https://saharareporters.com/2024/09/25/breaking-femi-falana-gives-verydarkman-24-hours-issue-public-apology-over-wicked |access-date=2024-09-26 |website=saharareporters.com}}
On May 2, 2025, he was arrested on allegation of cyberstalking shortly after he visited Guarantee Trust Bank branch in Abuja, where he complained about alleged unauthorized deduction of funds from his mother's account.{{Cite web |last=efosataiwo@vanguardngr.com |date=2025-05-02 |title=Updated: VeryDarkMan arrested by police |url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2025/05/updated-verydarkman-arrested-by-police/ |access-date=2025-05-03 |website=Vanguard News |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web |title=Social media activist VeryDarkMan arrested by police in Abuja bank {{!}} Pulse Nigeria |url=https://www.pulse.ng/articles/news/verydarkman-arrested-in-abuja-bank-2025050216353439292 |access-date=2025-06-09 |website=www.pulse.ng |language=en}} This arrest was carried out by men on mask whom identity were not fully revealed as controversies shows they are either EFCC or the DSS.{{Cite web |last=matthew_ogune |date=2025-05-02 |title=BREAKING: VeryDarkMan arrested by police in Abuja |url=https://guardian.ng/news/breaking-verydarkman-arrested-by-police-in-abuja/ |access-date=2025-05-04 |website=The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News |language=en-US}} After five days in detention, he was released on administrative bail on 7 May, 2025.{{cite web |title=VeryDarkMan Freed After EFCC Arrest Sparks Nationwide Outcry |url=https://social.phisk.co/blogs/1106/VeryDarkMan-Freed-After-EFCC-Arrest-Sparks-Nationwide-Outcry |website=Phisk |date=7 May 2025 |access-date=8 May 2025}}
References
{{reflist}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Man, Very Dark}}
External links
{{Twitter|id=thatverydarkman}}