Diaspora group issues legal notice to VeryDarkMan over alleged defamatory comments
The Future Platform-Diaspora Group has issued a legal notice to social media influencer Martin Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, over alleged defamatory comments against Seyi Tinubu. In a statement
The Future Platform-Diaspora Group has issued a legal notice to social media influencer Martin Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, over alleged defamatory comments against Seyi Tinubu.
In a statement released over the weekend, the group raised concerns about what it described as escalating cyberbullying and reputational attacks in Nigeria’s digital space, cautioning that spreading unverified allegations could attract serious legal consequences.
The statement, jointly signed by Convener Austine Dafe and Publicity Secretary Kunle Olaosebikan, underscored that while freedom of expression remains a fundamental pillar of Nigeria’s democracy, it must be exercised within the bounds of the law.
According to the group, any public commentary or allegation capable of injuring an individual’s reputation must be substantiated with credible and verifiable evidence, particularly when circulated on digital platforms with extensive public reach.
“Freedom of speech does not extend to cyberbullying, defamation, or the dissemination of unverified allegations capable of damaging reputations,” Dafe stated, adding that digital platforms must not become arenas for character attacks without due process.
The group stressed that individuals with significant online influence carry both legal and moral responsibilities, noting that statements capable of lowering a person’s standing in the eyes of right-thinking members of society could amount to actionable defamation.
It, therefore, called on Otse to immediately cease from further publication or repetition of statements deemed defamatory against Tinubu.
The organization also demanded a full public retraction of any statements not supported by credible and demonstrable evidence, alongside a formal apology to be issued through the same platforms where the alleged comments were circulated.
Future Platform–Diaspora Group further stated that it reserves the right to pursue all legal remedies available under Nigerian law, including civil proceedings and claims for damages, should the alleged defamatory conduct persist.
While clarifying that its action was not intended to suppress lawful criticism or democratic participation, the group maintained that accountability in public commentary strengthens democracy and urged stronger enforcement of existing cybercrime and defamation laws to safeguard personal dignity in the digital space.
