Controversial social media critic, Martin Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, was on Friday, arraigned before an Abuja Chief Magistrate Court sitting at Wuse Zone 6, for donning a police uniform in one of his recent videos.
In the charge marked: CR/510/2024, the defendant, who was accused of impersonation and making unauthorized use of the police uniform, pleaded not guilty to the allegation.
He was subsequently granted bail by the court to the tune of N2million with the two sureties in the like sum.
The court maintained that the sureties must not only be resident within the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja, but must also submit their passports to its registry.
According to the court, the sureties must also provide a means of identification and depose to an affidavit to provide the defendant for his trial, at all times.
- Tax reform bills misunderstood, says Ogun gov Abiodun
- Gov. Namadi presents 2025 budget to Jigawa assembly
- Reps lament excessive checkpoints along Onitsha-Enugu Highway, seek reduction
- Kano employs 70 lawyers to bolster legal sector
- Confusion as armed security personnel take over Kano Emir’s palace
The court also mandated the police which is prosecuting the matter to verify the address of the sureties who were equally directed to provide evidence of payment of their utility bills.
The defendant was also directed to deposed to an affidavit that he would always make himself available for the trial.
It will be recalled that the VeryDarkMan was detained on Thursday after he honoured an invitation that was extended to him by the police.
Earlier in the week, the defendant was seen in a video that went viral on various social media platforms, wearing an uniform that was similar to that of the Nigeria Police Force.
He described himself as a CSP of an online division and jokingly urged his fans and followers to always acknowledge him with his new rank instead of referring to him as an activist.
The Eagle Online reported that the Police, in reaction to the viral video, condemned his unauthorized use of the uniform and initiated an investigation.
The condemnation of VeryDarkMan and other content creators using police apparels was contained in a statement by the Force Headquarters.
Following the backlash, VeryDarkMan released a video on Thursday apologizing for using attire resembling the official police uniform.
He also advised Nigerians to seek proper authorization before wearing police attire to avoid misunderstandings or legal repercussions
Dissatisfied with the apology, the FCT Police Command, vowed to prosecute him in order to underscore the commitment of the NPF to uphold “the integrity of its symbols and preventing their misuse.”
Follow The Eagle Online Channel on WhatsApp
