VDM’s Lawyer Demands Probe, Prosecution of Bayo Onanuga Over ‘False Comments’
A lawyer representing social media influencer, Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), has called for the investigation and prosecution of Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to President Bola Tinubu, over alleged “false, misleading and provocative” comments against his client.
The lawyer, Marshal Abubakar, made the demand in a statement issued following a tweet posted by Onanuga on May 27, 2026, in which the presidential aide allegedly called for VDM to be prosecuted over a fake audio clip that used President Bola Tinubu’s voice.
Abubakar accused Onanuga of abandoning his pro-democracy ideals to defend what he described as “one of the worst governments in the country’s history.”
He recalled Onanuga’s role as a journalist and pro-democracy activist during the military era, noting that he once resisted censorship and dictatorship under former military ruler Ibrahim Babangida.
According to the lawyer, it was disappointing that the former editor and National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) activist had now become “a pathetic defender” of alleged government repression.
“It is disheartening that a man who risked detention, exile, and death to confront tyranny and elected to resign his position as editor of Concord magazine rather than apologise to former President Babangida in April 1992 when the accuracy and correctness of his piece titled ‘Has Babangida Hi Up’ was questioned, now officially defends power without compromise,” Abubakar said.
He argued that Nigerians have a constitutional right to criticise government policies and demand political change without intimidation.
Quoting Lord Justice Sedley in the 1999 Redmond-Bate v DPP judgment, Abubakar stated that freedom of speech protects not only harmless opinions but also views that may be irritating, controversial or provocative, provided they do not incite violence.
The lawyer also cited Nigerian court decisions, including IGP v ANPP (2007) and Arthur Nwankwo v The State (1985), to support his position that freedom of expression and peaceful protest should not be criminalised.
Abubakar further accused the Tinubu administration of attempting to suppress dissenting voices, claiming that the government had lost public confidence.
He called on the Presidency to publicly distance itself from Onanuga’s comments and impose sanctions on him for allegedly misleading the public.
“So therefore, Mr Bayo must face the consequences of circulating and authenticating falsehood spread through electronic means against the very government and people he was employed to defend,” Abubakar said.
He added that the tweet in question allegedly falls within the provisions of Section 24 of the Cybercrimes Act.
The lawyer also referenced some of Onanuga’s past social media posts, including one allegedly warning that the 2023 election should be “the last time of Igbo interference in Lagos politics,” describing the remarks as racist and xenophobic.
According to him, such statements could also amount to offences punishable under the Cybercrimes Act.
Abubakar maintained that if found guilty under the relevant laws, Onanuga should face the prescribed penalties, including fines or imprisonment.
He added that Otse reserved the right to institute civil proceedings over the matter.
Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.
