Human rights activist and social media critic Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, has denied any involvement in a viral audio recording allegedly linked to President Bola Tinubu, as fresh tension grows between his camp and the Presidency.
Who can confirm the authenticity of the voice in dis VDMs video.
— Charly Boy Area Fada 1 (@AreaFada1) May 27, 2026
But, I can tell you for free dat he has done worst tins.
Tinubu is a Principality.
Dia fathers left Nyash. pic.twitter.com/SOUF0Hr0vK
The response came after presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga reportedly called for action against those behind what he described as a fake audio recording circulating online.
This VDM needs to face the weight of the law for being the conveyor and disseminator of a fake audio of President Tinubu. This is a clear case of an egregious abuse of the social media platform. https://t.co/IGEzUvOZJG
— Bayo Onanuga, OON, CON (@aonanuga1956) May 27, 2026
However, in a statement released by Deji Adeyanju & Partners, the legal team representing VeryDarkMan said their client neither created nor shared the controversial audio.
According to the lawyers, the recording being circulated online was “doctored” and falsely connected to the activist. They argued that a quick review of VeryDarkMan’s verified social media pages would show no trace of the alleged audio publication.
“Our client has no connection whatsoever with the audio currently circulating online,” the lawyers stated.
The legal team also accused the Presidency of reacting without first verifying the facts properly. Speaking further, they warned against rushing to criminalize people based on online claims, especially at a time misinformation spreads quickly across social media.
Meanwhile, the controversy has triggered fresh debate online, with many Nigerians discussing the growing problem of fake voice notes, manipulated videos and AI-generated content. In recent months, several public figures in Nigeria have complained about edited recordings falsely linked to them.
The lawyers also urged security agencies to investigate the real source of the audio and prosecute whoever created or distributed it.
“We call on relevant security agencies to trace the source of the doctored audio and ensure those responsible are brought to justice,” the statement added.
VeryDarkMan, known for his outspoken videos on politics, celebrities and social issues, has repeatedly found himself at the centre of online controversies. His supporters often describe him as fearless, while critics accuse him of pushing sensitive claims too aggressively.
As at the time of filing this report, the Presidency had not publicly responded to the lawyer’s latest statement.
The development has added another layer to the ongoing conversations around free speech, misinformation and social media regulation in Nigeria, especially as political discussions ahead of 2027 continue to heat up.
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