A coalition of civil society organisations has called on the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 2 Command, Onikan, Lagos, AIG Jimoh Olorundare Moshood, to arrest, investigate and prosecute social media activist Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), over alleged cybercrime and defamatory online attacks.
The call was contained in a petition signed by the National Coordinator and Convener of the Coalition of Civil Society Groups for Peace, Security, Good Governance, Equity and Justice, Comrade James Okoronkwo.
According to the coalition, VeryDarkMan has, in recent weeks, allegedly used his social media platforms to launch what it described as coordinated and defamatory attacks against the senior police officer and the Nigeria Police Force.
The petition alleged that the content published by the activist was intended to undermine the integrity of the AIG and the authority of his office.
‘We write to officially petition your highly esteemed office regarding the continuous, malicious and coordinated cyber-attacks perpetrated by a social media actor known as Mr Martins Otse (widely known as VDM),’ the petition stated.
It further alleged that the activist had been broadcasting ‘baseless allegations’ capable of inciting public hostility, arguing that the conduct went beyond social media commentary and constituted offences under the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015, including alleged cyberstalking, criminal defamation and actions likely to cause a breach of public peace.
The coalition said it had already embarked on media campaigns to counter what it described as false narratives against the police officer but maintained that public rebuttals alone were insufficient.
‘As a frontline civil society coalition dedicated to the defence of our national security institutions, we have already deployed extensive media resources to publicly debunk these malicious narratives and shield your office from this unwarranted digital blackmail. However, media rebuttals alone are insufficient to deter chronic cyber-anarchists,’ the petition added.
The group urged the police authorities to immediately arrest the social media influencer, conduct a comprehensive forensic investigation into his online activities and identify any alleged sponsors or collaborators.
It also called for his prompt prosecution in a court of competent jurisdiction.
‘Our coalition hereby formally demands the immediate arrest of Mr Martins Otse (VDM), a comprehensive investigation into his digital footprints, his enablers and the alleged sponsors of this smear campaign, as well as his prompt arraignment before a court of competent jurisdiction.
‘A threat to the integrity of a high-ranking officer of the Nigeria Police Force is a threat to national security. We urge you to deploy the full weight of the law without delay,’ the petition stated.
The coalition also pledged to continue supporting the police through media advocacy and civil society engagement as the matter progresses.
As of the time of filing this report, VeryDarkMan had not publicly responded to the allegations contained in the petition, while the Nigeria Police Force had yet to issue an official statement on the request.