Popular Nigerian activist and social media commentator, Martins Vincent Otse, widely known as Verydarkman (VDM), has publicly challenged actress Mercy Johnson-Okojie and her husband over the recent arrest of a female blogger. The blogger was detained after making allegations that the actress's husband impregnated another woman, who subsequently lost the pregnancy.
VDM Accuses Couple of Abuse of Power
In a video statement released on social media, Verydarkman strongly criticized the couple's actions, labeling them as intimidation and an abuse of power. He revealed that he had been inundated with messages concerning the detained woman, prompting him to address the issue publicly. To substantiate the claims that led to the arrest, VDM played a video clip in which the blogger detailed her allegations, noting she sourced the story from another online figure, Cutie Juls.
The activist alleged that following the arrest, Cutie Juls made her social media page private. Verydarkman further claimed that most stories shared by Cutie Juls are false, questioning the basis of the legal action. He insisted that the matter was a civil case of defamation and should be resolved in a court of law, not through arrest and detention.
A Plea for Release and a Legal Threat
Verydarkman issued a direct plea to Mercy Johnson and her husband, demanding the immediate release of the blogger. He emphasized the personal urgency of the situation, disclosing that the detained woman is scheduled to get married on Saturday. Should the couple refuse to release her, VDM vowed to personally finance her legal defense, hiring a lawyer to fight the case.
He reiterated his stance that defamation is a civil offense, arguing that the use of arrest powers was oppressive. "This is a civil matter," he stated, "and it should be settled in court." The activist made it clear that he was undeterred by the couple's perceived influence and social status.
VDM References Mercy Johnson's Past Support for Regina Daniels
In a pointed comparison, Verydarkman recalled a previous high-profile feud involving actress Regina Daniels and her husband, politician Ned Nwoko. During that incident, Mercy Johnson was a vocal supporter of her friend Regina Daniels, even making a video to update the public when Regina's brother, Samuel, was arrested by Nwoko.
VDM noted that during that feud, statements made by Regina Daniels' mother against Ned Nwoko could also be construed as defamatory, yet Mercy Johnson stood by them. He used this precedent to question the actress's current stance, implying a double standard. "You supported them then," he asserted, challenging the consistency of her principles.
The activist's intervention adds another layer to the ongoing discourse about celebrity power, online defamation, and the appropriate legal avenues for redress in Nigeria's digital space.
