NEWS
VeryDarkMan Dares Police to Court Over Explosive Insecurity Allegations, Vows to Tender Evidence Before Judge
Social media activist Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, has thrown down the gauntlet to the Nigeria Police Force, daring the authorities to take him to court over his explosive allegation that some security personnel aid kidnapping, banditry and the wider insecurity ravaging parts of Nigeria.
The outspoken activist made his position known on Thursday while responding to a police invitation demanding that he provide evidence to support his earlier claims that some police officers at checkpoints allegedly identify wealthy travellers and pass information about them to kidnappers.
But rather than retreat from his allegations, VeryDarkMan insisted that he was ready to honour the police invitation while maintaining that he would not hand over his evidence directly to the Force. According to him, if the police believed his comments constituted a criminal offence, the proper place to test his allegations would be before a court of law.
“I’m not going to be giving the police my evidence. Why would I do that? I would be charged to court, and I would turn down the evidence in court,” he said in a video shared on his social media page.
The development has further intensified the growing face-off between the controversial activist and the Nigeria Police Force, which had described his allegations as serious, unsubstantiated and capable of damaging the reputation of the institution.
The police had maintained that they were willing to investigate any credible evidence provided by Otse and had formally invited him to substantiate his claims.
However, VeryDarkMan has now made it clear that he would rather confront the matter in open court.
“So when I get to your office, you charge me to court. I can go to court on that same day. My lawyers are on ground,” he said.
In his latest response, the activist widened the scope of his criticism beyond the police, alleging that elements within Nigeria’s security architecture were contributing to the continued failure to defeat kidnapping, banditry and terrorism.
“It is the police people that aid insecurity. It is the military men that benefit from insecurity. That’s why it can never stop,” he alleged.
VeryDarkMan also questioned the huge amounts allocated by successive governments to the fight against insecurity, arguing that Nigerians deserved answers over the continued existence of armed criminal groups despite enormous security spending.
“How much is your budget to battle insecurity? How much is your budget? Go and look at your budget and tell me why we still have bandits and terrorists kidnapping people,” he said.
Despite the strong reaction his allegations have generated, the activist maintained that he had no intention of withdrawing his comments. He said he was prepared to continue speaking publicly about issues affecting ordinary Nigerians, particularly the worsening security situation across the country.
“I’m proud of myself, that right in their faces I said what I had to say and to tell them that the insecurity going on in Nigeria, you is aided by them. I stand by my words,” he said.
Interestingly, while attacking the alleged conduct of some security personnel, VeryDarkMan also drew attention to the difficult working conditions faced by many police officers, calling on the government to significantly improve their welfare.
“There is no welfare for the Nigerian police. If you want Nigeria’s security to be tightened, you have to take care of our policemen. Take care of them,” he said.
The latest confrontation is coming against the backdrop of an earlier dispute between Otse and the police over allegations involving Assistant Inspector-General of Police Moshood Jimoh and the investigation of a matter linked to businessman Ahmed Tajudeen Akanbi.
The Nigeria Police Force had previously confirmed that AIG Jimoh was invited for questioning as part of an internal administrative review, while Otse was also asked to substantiate allegations connected to the controversy.
Police authorities further stated that the criminal matter associated with the allegations was already before a court following advice from the Directorate of Public Prosecutions.
VeryDarkMan, however, criticised what he considered a slow response by the police to his earlier complaints, alleging that the Force only moved with greater urgency after he released additional material.
Now, with another police invitation on the table, the activist appears determined to turn the confrontation into a legal battle.
“For the police, I’m very, very ready for you guys. 100 per cent. I’m ready to show you that you people aid insecurity. You people aid banditry and terrorism in this country,” he said.
“Let’s meet in court. The evidence will be tendered there.”
With both sides holding firmly to their positions, the controversy is rapidly developing into another major test of the relationship between Nigeria’s security institutions and one of the country’s most outspoken social media activists.