A popular social media activist, Martins Otse, widely known as VeryDarkMan, appeared before an Abuja Chief Magistrate Court in Wuse Zone 6 on Friday, facing allegations of impersonating a police officer.
Otse was accused of posing as an officer and using a police uniform without authorization in a case marked CR/510/2024. The activist pleaded not guilty to the charges.
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The court granted Otse bail in the sum of N2 million, with two sureties required to meet the same amount. According to the court’s conditions, the sureties must reside within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and submit their passports to the court registry.
Additionally, they are required to provide valid identification, evidence of utility bill payments, and an affidavit assuring the defendant’s presence throughout the trial. Police were directed to verify the sureties’ addresses as part of the bail process.
The case arose after Otse was detained on Thursday following his appearance at a police station where he had been summoned. The charges stem from a viral video in which he was seen in attire resembling a Nigerian police uniform.
In the video, Otse humorously introduced himself as a Chief Superintendent of an online division, encouraging followers to address him by his “new rank.”
In a public apology, Otse explained that he was unaware of the legal restrictions on wearing police uniforms without permission. “I didn’t know it was an offense,” he stated, advising fellow content creators to secure necessary clearances from law enforcement agencies before incorporating police attire in their content.
However, the FCT Police Command rejected his apology, emphasizing that the prosecution aims to safeguard the “integrity of its symbols” and deter unauthorized use of police uniforms. The case highlights the Nigerian Police Force’s commitment to preventing misuse of its official symbols in the public sphere.
