Emmanuel Ochayi
Martins Vincent Otse, the social media critic commonly referred to as VeryDarkMan, has finally been released from police custody after spending nine days detained, sending ripples across the online community and reigniting discussions on freedom of expression in Nigeria.
His freedom, gained in the late hours of Sunday, came as a relief to his supporters and fellow activists, who had been vocal about what they saw as an infringement on his right to free speech.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelThe circumstances leading to VeryDarkMan’s arrest remain shrouded in mystery, with the police citing multiple petitions against his online activities as the reason for his detention. However, specific details regarding these allegations have not been disclosed.
Omoyele Sowore, the prominent figure behind the #RevolutionNow movement, confirmed VeryDarkMan’s release in a statement shared on his Twitter page “Good news on Easter Sunday! @thatverydarkman is now free! Thanks for all your efforts to ensure oppression will not always win! #RevolutionNow“, prompting varied reactions from Nigerians.
Responding to Sowore’s announcement, one Twitter user, Pure Stanley, questioned the notion of freedom of speech, particularly in light of allegations made by VeryDarkMan against senior police officials.
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He tweeted, “@YeleSowore, you said that VeryDarkMan accusing the DIGs of the police in Nigeria of engaging in inappropriate activities was ‘Freedom of Speech’? How is defaming someone, especially someone’s father, considered ‘Freedom of Speech’?”
Meanwhile, another user, Engr. Olalekan Ilesanmi, expressed hope that VeryDarkMan would learn from his experience, suggesting that his time in detention might serve as a lesson.
On the other hand, @DOZZY BREEZY highlighted what they perceived as injustices in the treatment of VeryDarkMan, questioning why he was not allowed to dress appropriately at the time of his arrest. They interpreted his release on a weekend and holiday as an indication of his innocence.
VeryDarkMan’s case underscores the ongoing tension between freedom of expression and the regulation of online content in Nigeria. As citizens grapple with the implications of his detention, the conversation around digital rights and activism continues to evolve, reflecting the complexities of navigating social media in a society where dissent is often met with resistance.
