Social media personality VeryDarkMan has been mentioned in an ongoing court case involving six individuals accused of conspiring to destabilize the government of President Bola Tinubu, after a Federal High Court in Abuja ordered an investigation into the alleged circulation of protected court materials online.
The issue surfaced during Monday’s proceedings when prosecutors sought to have statements allegedly made by the defendants admitted as evidence in the case.
Representing the Federal Government, lead prosecutor Rotimi Oyedepo argued that the statements were obtained voluntarily and without coercion. According to the prosecution, the defendants were neither intimidated nor subjected to any form of mistreatment while being questioned by investigators.
A prosecution witness, identified only by the initials “DDD,” told the court that allegations of torture and forced confessions were unfounded. He also denied claims that the accused persons had been restrained during interrogation sessions.
Addressing allegations that the defendants’ legs were chained, the witness insisted they entered the interview room on their own and suggested that any such restraints would have been noticeable in the video recordings already presented before the court.
The witness further stated that none of the defendants requested the presence of legal representatives, family members, officials from the Legal Aid Council, or a Justice of the Peace during the interview process. He subsequently urged the court to admit both the written statements and video recordings as part of the evidence.
However, under questioning from defence lawyers, the witness acknowledged that legal counsel and family members were not present when the statements were taken. Despite this, he maintained that the defendants cooperated willingly and were not pressured into making statements.
Following the witness’s testimony, the prosecution formally closed its case in the trial-within-trial after calling four witnesses.
Proceedings took a dramatic turn when prosecutors raised concerns over the alleged leak of court materials to social media platforms. The prosecution informed the court that video content related to the case had reportedly appeared online and alleged that social media activist VeryDarkMan had shared some of the materials.
The prosecution requested that security agencies investigate how the sensitive content found its way into the public domain.
In response, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik directed the Department of State Services (DSS) to immediately investigate the alleged leak. The judge stated that anyone found responsible for violating existing witness protection directives should face legal consequences.
The court emphasized that the investigation would proceed alongside the main trial.
Lawyers representing the defendants denied any involvement in the alleged leak and challenged the prosecution to submit a formal application supported by evidence if it intended to pursue the allegation further.
The court also heard arguments regarding bail applications filed on behalf of the accused persons. While defence counsel urged the court to grant bail on lenient terms, prosecutors opposed the requests and asked that they be denied.
At the conclusion of proceedings, Justice Abdulmalik adjourned the matter to June 25 and June 30 for the first three defendants to begin presenting their defence in the trial-within-trial. The remaining defendants are scheduled to continue their defence on July 1 and 2.
A ruling on the bail applications has been fixed for July 20.
