In a dramatic turn of events, popular Nigerian social media influencer Bobrisky, born Okuneye Idris Olanrewaju, has taken legal action against fellow internet personality Martins Vincent Otse, known as VeryDarkMan, over alleged defamatory content. Through his legal representatives at A.R.T. Omuvwie & Co., Bobrisky has issued a formal demand for the sum of ?1 billion as damages, alongside a written apology published in national newspapers and on social media.

The legal notice, dated September 27, 2024, accuses VeryDarkMan of engaging in a campaign of defamation and blackmail against Bobrisky, primarily through social media platforms such as Instagram and X. The letter claims that VeryDarkMan has been using Bobrisky’s name and image to gain attention for his personal gain, often making unfounded accusations that have severely impacted Bobrisky’s reputation and mental well-being.

Among the accusations leveled at VeryDarkMan are claims that he released an Artificial Intelligence (AI)-generated audio recording, falsely depicting a conversation involving Bobrisky. The letter asserts that the recording was created with malicious intent to tarnish Bobrisky’s image. The legal team further states that Bobrisky never had any conversations with the individual referenced in the audio.

The notice also highlights previous allegations made by VeryDarkMan, which include accusations that prominent Nigerian politicians and law enforcement officers have had inappropriate relations with Bobrisky. Bobrisky’s lawyers argue that these claims are baseless and amount to an invasion of privacy and a violation of his constitutional rights.

The letter warns that if VeryDarkMan does not remove the alleged defamatory content within 24 hours, issue a public apology, and pay the demanded ?1 billion, legal proceedings will commence. Failure to comply could lead to further legal action, with Bobrisky’s legal team seeking full redress in a court of law.

Bobrisky has also requested that VeryDarkMan post a video apology on his social media platforms and make a commitment to cease any further defamatory statements. The legal notice emphasizes the serious impact of these allegations on Bobrisky’s personal and professional life.

This legal battle is expected to generate significant public interest, given the prominence of both parties involved in the Nigerian social media space.