……A look at VDM’s Many Controversies
By Bukola Kayode
Controversial social media personality Vincent Martin Otse better known as VeryDarkMan has come under fire over his disclosure that his NGO’s website was hacked and N180 million was stolen.
VDM as he is also known took to Tiktok to announce that he is on his way to Jos with a policeman to arrest a person who had been traced for hacking his NGO website and stealing money.
He said in the viral video: “I’ve not been myself these past few days. Somebody hacked into the NGO website, and N180 million is missing. Thankfully, we’ve tracked the person, and one suspect has been arrested.
“The account is now on PND (Post No Debit). There’s N20 million left, while N160 million was diverted. We’re heading to Jos to recover the money.”
VDM also said the NGO’s app was temporarily shut down for maintenance to prevent further breaches and assured followers that updates on the recovery efforts would follow.
Recall that in October, Otse launched the Martins Vincent Osei Initiative, amassing over ₦35 million in donations within hours. Shortly after, music producer Michael Collins Ajereh, popularly known as Don Jazzy, contributed ₦100 million to the cause.
Click the link below to watch the video:
In his reaction, an X user with the name Egwi @Ssaasquatch said: “I’m all for making charitable donations but you have yourself to blame for donating money to a character like Verydarkman“.
Popular X personality Dami Foreign, using the TheDamiForeign handle also said, “If na me be don jazzy, I go tell VeryDarkMan make e refund my 100million”.
Another popular X social media personality, Solomon Buchi @Solomon_Buchi said, “Imagine how VeryDarkMan would react if someone else claimed that their NGO’s account was hacked and 180m stolen? I’m still imagining”.
.…..Past Controversies
VDM has been at the center of controversies of late. Less than 72 hours after was accused of bullying and threat to life by a former Marlian music dancer Lil’ Smart, he is currently being dragged online over his claims that money donated to his NGO has been stolen.
In October, the Nigerian Police Force condemned the use of its uniform VeryDarkMan in a post across his social media handles.
The Police in a statement titled, “Nigeria Police Condemns Unlawful Use Of Police Uniforms By Content creators, said an investigation would conducted into the motive behind VDM’s video in police uniform.
The statement read in part: “The Nigeria Police Force strongly condemns the unauthorized use of official uniforms and accoutrements by an online personality, Mr. Martins Otse, popularly known as “VDM,” in a video posted on his social media platforms.
“The Force unequivocally disassociates itself from this unauthorized portrayal and has launched a full investigation to determine the source of the Police gear used, as well as the authority under which he acted”.
“It is important to remind the public that the unauthorized use of Police uniforms, insignia, or accoutrements constitutes a criminal offense, as stipulated in Section 251 of the Criminal Code Law and Section 133 of the Penal Code Law, and is subject to strict penalties”.
Before his most recent controversies, VDM was hauled before a Lagos State High Court over a suit fileld by Femi Falana SAN and his rapper son, Folarin, better knows Falz.
The Lagos State High Court had ordered VeryDarkMan, to delete defamatory comments and videos concerning the Falanas.
Justice M. O. Dawodu delivered the ruling in suit no: ID/8584/GCM/2024 on Monday October 15.
The judge averred that publications made by VeryDarkMan on his social media accounts on September 24, 2024, linking Crossdresser Idris Okuneye, aka, Bobrisky to Falz and his father were defamatory and injurious to their public image.
“According to the applicants (Falz and Falana), the defendant (VeryDarkMan) knew these statements (Bobrisky’s claims) were false and untrue but proceeded to publish them to injure their reputation.
“Furthermore, the defamatory statements are still trending on the defendant (VeryDarkMan)’s several online platforms and the injury to their reputation continues as long as the publication remains online”, Dawodu said.
Falana had told Channels TV that VeryDarkMan defamed him and he would file a civil suit against him. Before the the interview Falana had demanded an apology which VDM failed to issue.
In a viral audio posted by VeryDarkMan, Bobrisky had alleged that he bribed some Economic and Financial Crimes Commission officials with N15 million to drop the money laundering charge against him.
In the purported recording, the crossdresser also claimed that his “godfather,” alongside the Controller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Haliru Nababa, ensured he served the six-month sentence in a private apartment and not in prison.
Also in the clip, Bobrisky claimed that he spoke with the SAN’s rapper and actor son Falz, who said he would speak with his dad to get him presidential pardon. This has now been denied by the Falanas who threatened to go to court to clear their names.
But in the interview on Channels TV, the respected lawyer said he has helped about 250 people seek for state pardon without any form of payment.
He said, “Bobrisky never spoke to me, I have never met him, I do not know him from Adam. He was alleged to have spoken to my son Folarin (Falz).
“Yes, my son said this guy was appealing to people for assistance and called my son I think on May 4 this year – please can you give me N3 million to be placed in a special part of the prison, we call it the VIP section.
“My son asked him, are you calling me under the authorization of the superintendent of prisons? He said no – please don’t call me again, I am unable to assist you to bribe the prison authorities and be very careful since you are already in prison for an offence.
“Please if you are you are going to call me next time, you either do through the superintendent or you write a letter endorsed by the prison authorities and that was the last. Somebody now start releasing tapes somewhere and went out to lampoon and rather defame me by saying the guy has spoken to me.”
I honestly did not know such was possible through a website, I mean stealing money