Social media critic Martins Otse, widely known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), has been granted N2 million bail following his arraignment on Friday for impersonation.
The charges arose from a viral video in which Otse appeared in a police uniform, leading to allegations of unauthorized use of official police attire.
The court ordered that VDM must provide two sureties, each with N2 million in like sum. As part of the bail conditions, VDM is also required to surrender his international passports and any other forms of identification.
The case came after the Nigeria Police Force, in a statement by spokesperson Olumuyiwa Adejobi, condemned the unauthorized display of its uniform by VDM in a video posted on social media last Thursday. An investigation was subsequently launched.
VDM’s lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, outlined the terms of his client’s bail:
- Bail set at N2 million with two sureties.
- Sureties must deposit their international passports and provide valid identification.
- Sureties are required to reside within Abuja municipal, under the court’s jurisdiction.
- Both sureties and VDM are to provide utility bills as proof of address.
- Prosecutors will verify the sureties’ addresses.
- VDM must also commit to being available throughout the trial.