By SCM Reporter
In a fiery escalation of the ongoing tension between social commentators and government officials, popular and controversial activist, Mr. Martins Vincent Otse, widely known as VeryDarkMan, has vehemently denied involvement in a viral audio recording circulating online.
Through his legal representatives, Deji Adeyanju & Partners, the social media critic expressed deep disappointment in the Presidency, specifically calling out the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, for attributing the “doctored” audio to him without conducting proper verification.
The controversy erupted after the Presidency, through Mr. Onanuga, issued a statement addressing an audio recording that has been making the rounds on various digital platforms. The audio was publicly linked to VeryDarkMan, drawing sharp criticism from official quarters.
However, in a swift and robust defense, VeryDarkMan’s management released an official statement on Thursday, completely distancing the activist from the recording. The legal firm asserted that the audio is a malicious fabrication designed to tarnish the reputation of their client, who has built a massive following by speaking out on sensitive public issues.
”A simple verification of our client’s verified social media platforms would have confirmed that he neither made nor shared the said audio,” the statement from Deji Adeyanju & Partners read.
Criticism of the Presidency’s Verification Mechanisms
The legal team expressed shock that a high-ranking government office, equipped with vast state apparatus and intelligence resources, could fall victim to online misinformation or deliberately weaponize it against a citizen.
The statement noted that it was highly surprising that despite the extensive resources available to the Presidency, adverse comments were made concerning their client without anyone bothering to check the facts.
According to the firm, this lapse in due diligence suggests a more sinister motive than a mere administrative oversight.
The defense team argued that this incident is not an isolated mistake but rather part of a coordinated campaign by influential individuals within the corridors of power to silence the vocal critic.
For months, VeryDarkMan has been a polarizing figure in Nigeria’s digital space, frequently tackling issues ranging from consumer rights and corporate malpractices to institutional corruption.
His confrontational style has earned him both fervent admirers and powerful adversaries.
According to his lawyers, this latest incident validates what the activist has been warning the public about for a long time.
”This development further validates our client’s longstanding concerns regarding attempts to cage him by powerful people in government and discredit him on account of his outspoken views on matters of public interest,” the management stated.
The legal team intimated that the rapid dissemination of the doctored audio, followed closely by an official reaction from the Presidency, points toward a calculated attempt to orchestrate a public relations hit on the activist, thereby neutralizing his influence among the youth.
Refusing to let the matter slide, VeryDarkMan’s legal counsel has officially called upon Nigeria’s law enforcement and intelligence agencies to step into the matter.
They are demanding a full-scale forensic investigation into the origin of the audio to unmask the individuals behind its creation and distribution.
The statement concluded with a firm demand for justice:
“We accordingly call on the relevant security agencies to investigate the source and circulation of the doctored audio and ensure that those responsible are identified and dealt with in accordance with the law.”
As of the time of filing this report, the Presidency has not issued a counter-response to the allegations raised by Deji Adeyanju & Partners, nor has there been an official statement from Mr. Bayo Onanuga regarding the demand for an investigation.
The situation remains tense as civil society organizations and digital rights advocates watch closely to see how the security agencies will handle the high-profile request to track down the creators of the deepfake or doctored audio.
