Nigerian Police Delay Release of Influencer, VeryDarkMan Over Easter Break

The release of renowned social media influencer, Martins Vincent Otse, widely known by his moniker VeryDarkMan, was postponed by the Nigerian Police, citing the Easter holiday as the reason for the delay.

Despite anticipation for his freedom on Easter Sunday, the police stated that the necessary personnel to process his release were unavailable due to the holiday celebrations.

The situation unfolded when, despite assurances from the Chairman of the Police Service Commission, Dr. Solomon Arase, that VeryDarkMan’s legal representatives could secure his release, officers on duty indicated they had not been instructed to do so. This conflicting information led to further complications when Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG), Mr. Sylvester Abiodun Alabi, of the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) in Abuja, suggested that the lawyers return on Tuesday after the holiday for their client’s release.

This delay has sparked conversations around the reasons for VeryDarkMan’s arrest, which stemmed from a controversial video where he criticized the infamous cross-dresser Bobrisky and alleged connections between Bobrisky and high-ranking Nigerian officials. VeryDarkMan’s bold statements, questioning why Bobrisky remains unarrested despite openly transitioning genders in a country with stringent laws against homosexuality, have brought him under police scrutiny.

The arrest and the subsequent refusal to release VeryDarkMan have not only highlighted issues of freedom of speech and police procedures but have also raised concerns about the police force’s response to accusations made against them. Omoyele Sowore, a prominent human rights activist and #RevolutionNow convener, revealed that VeryDarkMan is being “held hostage” by top police officials as a punitive measure for his outspoken criticism. Sowore’s revelations add a layer of complexity to the situation, suggesting that VeryDarkMan’s detainment could extend beyond the procedural delays attributed to the Easter break.

Previously, VeryDarkMan had faced police summonses related to allegations of cyberbullying against Nollywood actress Tonto Dikeh, further underscoring the contentious nature of his online activities.