DSS Questions VeryDarkMan Over Leaked Coup Trial Video Following Court Order

The Department of State Services (DSS) has reportedly interrogated popular Nigerian social media influencer, Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, over his alleged involvement in the circulation of a restricted video linked to an ongoing coup trial.

The development followed a directive issued by Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court in Abuja, who ordered an investigation into how the sensitive footage found its way into the public domain despite an existing court restriction.

The video in question was reportedly tendered as evidence in the trial of several individuals accused of plotting to overthrow the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The case stems from arrests made in 2024 and has continued to attract significant public attention.

During court proceedings held on June 23 and 24, 2026, the Director of Public Prosecutions, Rotimi Oyedepo, informed the court that the restricted footage was being circulated on VeryDarkMan’s social media platforms. According to the prosecution, the dissemination of the video constituted a violation of an earlier court order prohibiting its public release.

Speaking after the encounter with security operatives, VeryDarkMan disclosed that he spent several hours at the DSS office answering questions regarding the source of the video before eventually being released in the early hours of Thursday morning.

“I got home around 2 a.m. after spending hours with the DSS,” he said. “I was questioned about a video I posted four days ago. The investigation was said to be based on an order from Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, and I was asked to explain how I obtained the footage.”

According to the influencer, he cooperated fully with investigators and provided details regarding how the video came into his possession.

VeryDarkMan maintained that he had no role in creating or leaking the footage. He explained that because of his popularity and public profile, his phone number is widely accessible, allowing numerous individuals to send him messages, videos, and other media content daily.

He further stated that his Samsung device is configured to automatically download incoming media files, which means content can be saved to his phone without any prior interaction with the sender.

The social media personality told investigators that he was unaware of the identity of the individual who initially sent the video and insisted that he merely received the file rather than producing or leaking it.

The incident has generated fresh discussions about digital responsibility, court-imposed restrictions on sensitive evidence, and the obligations of social media influencers when handling potentially confidential materials.

While authorities continue to investigate how the restricted footage was circulated, no formal charges have been announced against VeryDarkMan as of the time of this report.

The case remains under scrutiny as legal proceedings continue and investigators seek to determine the source of the leak and whether any laws or court directives were breached in the process.