Who is VeryDarkMan?
VeryDarkMan (VDM) is a Nigerian influencer and controversial activist who came into limelight after he repeatedly called out skincare product sellers who do not have the required license and certification for their products. The activist intervened when some of the victims of the skincare products were being bullied by the vendors who usually leverage social media platforms like Instagram and influencer marketing to promote their products.
VeryDarkMan real name
VeryDarkMan’s real name is Martins Vincent Otse. The nickname is presumed to be inspired by his complexion. His other nick names include The Ratel, Blackie, Dudu, Darkie, and Shadow.
Where is VeryDarkMan from?
Several reports indicate VeryDarkMan was born in Kaduna, the former political capital of Northern Nigeria.
VeryDarkMan’s tribe
Eventhough he was born in Kaduna and spent most of his lives in the northern part of Nigeria, VeryDarkMan is originally from Benin City, the capital city of Edo state, a state in the south-south geopolitical zone of Nigeria.
Parents’ occupation
In a social media post, he revealed his father is “a mechanic” and mother is “taking care of other peoples children”.
How old is VeryDarkMan?
There are conflicting reports about his age; however, in a post on Instagram, VeryDarkMan disclosed he was born April 8, 1994, which infers he is currently 31 years old.
VeryDarkMan educational background and university
Some reports claimed he attended the University of Lagos (UNILAG) where he studied Business Administration. The controversial activist, however, in a post on his Instagram page indicated he only has an O’Level certificate.
Career
VeryDarkMan’s social media popularity started on TikTok where he usually posts videos sharing his unpopular opinions. He lent is voice to the trending issue about Happie Bois and Apostle Chibuzor Gift Chinyere, the General Overseer and founder of Omega Power Ministries (OPM).
He would later go viral for his comments and activism against unauthorised skincare vendors like Jennys Glow. He was also one of the leading voices who waded into the cause of death of young Nigerian singer, Mohbad.
Awards and nominations
- 2024 Trendupp Awards “Force for Social Good” category – Nominee
- 2024 Silverbird Man of the Year Award – Nominee
Controversy
VeryDarkMan Vs. Femi Falana
Otse in a series of audios he shared on his social media page last year (October 2024) accused Falana and his son, Falz, of receiving payment to get presidential pardon for cross dresser, Idris Okuneye (a.k.a Bobrisky), who was sentenced to 6 months in prison for naira abuse.
in one of the audios shared by VeryDarkMan, Bobrisky claimed that he had spoken with Falz, requesting his assistance in persuading his father (Falana) to help secure a presidential pardon, which allegedly cost N10 million.
The crossdresser also alleged that he asked Falz for N3 million to secure special treatment at Kirikiri Correctional Centre.
In another audio shared by VeryDarkMan, Bobrisky claimed to have paid N5 million upfront to a Senior Advocate of Nigeria in an attempt to secure a Federal Government pardon over charges filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
However, in a letter dated 14 October 2024, issued by Falana’s legal representatives, Olorunfemi Akinyemi and Taiwo E. Olawanle, Bobrisky was accused of making false and defamatory statements about Falana and his son’s involvement in the alleged bribery and pardon.
The legal team described Bobrisky’s claims as entirely unfounded and damaging to Falana’s reputation. They demanded a full retraction and apology, to be published on all platforms where the statements were shared.
Responding to the demand, Bobrisky insisted that he never gave money to Falana or his son to get a presidential pardon.
The crossdresser argued that the sharer of the defamatory content should be held liable for his action.
“I Okuneye Idris aka Bobrisky didn’t give Falz or his dad any money for pardon. As a matter of fact, no penny was given to them. Have said this before and I will say it again. The person that published an audio online should take full responsibility for what he posted in public.
“My lawyer will respond to any further information the public wants about this ongoing issue trending on social media,” Bobrisky wrote on his Instagram story on Wednesday.
In another post, the crossdresser wrote, “In reply to the two letters in circulation from the law firm of the Falanas. I like to state for the records and pending the official reply from my counsel, state for the avoidance of doubt that I Okuneye Idris Olarewaju aka Bobrisky did not publish any defamatory statement or statements concerning the learned SAN and his son Falz and that in the public domain pursuant to my solicitor’s letter dated the 27th day of September 2024 that I have denied any knowledge of what VDM published.
“I stand to express denial and put the matter to strict proof and advise that whoever has been defamed should hold the publisher of defamatory content and my fundamental rights to privacy of my communications should be respected and protected. Best.”
The crossdresser sued Otse $1 billion in damages claiming the trending voice recording released by VeryDarkMan was generated by artificial intelligence (AI).
Falana also initiated a suit seeking N500 million each in damages over the video posted by VDM on his social media platforms.
In May 2025, an Ikeja High Court awarded N200,000 in costs and dismissed preliminary objections filed by VDM.
Missing N180 million fund from NGO account
More than two months after launching his self-titled NGO, ‘Martins Vincent Otse Initiative,’ VDM in December 2024 raised a public alarm that hackers stole N180 million from the official account.
The funds were donated by people like Don Jazzy who contributed N100 million to the cause. Over N200 million was raised in total for the NGO.
The report generated a lots of social media criticism. VDM who later announced he “intentionally pranked Nigerians with the missing N180 million to teach them a lesson about social media” and that no money was missing from the account.
Disclaimer
The information in this article was curated from online sources. NewsWireNGR or its editorial team cannot independently verify all details.
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