Coalition Petitions IGP, Demands Arrest, Investigation of VDM Over Alleged Cyber-Stalking, Defamation
By The People’s Voice Nigeria News
A coalition operating under the name Coalition of Civil Society Groups for Peace, Security, Good Governance, Equity, and Justice has submitted a petition to the Inspector-General of Police, calling for the arrest, investigation, and prosecution of social media personality Martins Otse, popularly known as VDM, over allegations of cyber-stalking, criminal defamation, and incitement.
According to the petition signed by the Coalition’s National Coordinator and Convener, Comrade James Okoronkwo, the group alleged that VDM had, over recent weeks, used his social media platforms to launch what it described as “a series of unprovoked, fabricated, and highly defamatory attacks” against the Inspector-General of Police and the statutory authority of his office.
The Coalition further alleged that by “broadcasting baseless allegations and inciting public hostility,” VDM’s actions had gone beyond social media commentary and amounted to alleged violations of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015, including cyber-stalking, criminal defamation, and conduct likely to cause a breach of public peace.
In the petition, the Coalition stated that it had already deployed media resources to counter what it described as malicious narratives directed at the office of the Inspector-General of Police but maintained that media rebuttals alone were insufficient to deter what it termed “chronic cyber-anarchists.”
Among other requests, the Coalition urged the Nigeria Police Force to effect the immediate arrest of Mr. Martins Otse (VDM), conduct a comprehensive forensic investigation into the allegations contained in the petition, and, where appropriate, prosecute the matter before a court of competent jurisdiction.
The Coalition further argued that “a threat to the integrity of a high-ranking officer of the Nigeria Police Force is a threat to national security,” while pledging to continue providing media support and civil society solidarity.
The People’s Voice Nigeria News reproduces below the full text of the petition as received from the Coalition, without alteration:
URGENT PETITION DEMANDING THE IMMEDIATE ARREST, INVESTIGATION, AND PROSECUTION OF MR. MARTINS OTSE (AKA VDM) FOR CYBER-STALKING, CRIMINAL DEFAMATION, AND INCITEMENT
We bring you the warmest solidarity greetings from the National Secretariat of the Coalition of Civil Society Groups for Peace, Security, Good Governance, Equity, and Justice.
We write to officially petition your highly esteemed office regarding the continuous, malicious, and coordinated cyber-attacks perpetrated by a social media actor known as Mr. Martins Otse (widely known as VDM).
Over recent weeks, VDM has utilized his extensive digital platforms to launch a series of unprovoked, fabricated, and highly defamatory attacks aimed at undermining the integrity of your person and the statutory authority of your office. By broadcasting baseless allegations and inciting public hostility, his actions transcend mere social media banter; they constitute severe infractions under the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act of 2015, specifically concerning cyber-stalking, criminal defamation, and conduct likely to cause a breach of public peace.
As a frontline Civil Society Coalition dedicated to the defense of our national security institutions, we have already deployed extensive media resources to publicly debunk these malicious narratives and shield your office from this unwarranted digital blackmail. However, media rebuttals alone are insufficient to deter chronic cyber-anarchists.
Therefore, to preserve the sanctity of the Nigeria Police Force and ensure that digital terrorism is not allowed to fester, our Coalition hereby formally demands the following:
- Immediate Arrest:The swift apprehension of Mr. Martins Otse (VDM) by the relevant tactical units under your command or the National Cybercrime Center (NPF-NCCC).
Comprehensive Investigation: A thorough forensic investigation into his digital footprints, his enablers, and the ultimate sponsors of this smear campaign against your office.
Prompt Arraignment: The immediate prosecution of the suspect in a court of competent jurisdiction to serve as a strong deterrent to other clout-chasers who believe they can recklessly disparage law enforcement leadership without consequence.
Sir, a threat to the integrity of a high-ranking officer of the Nigeria Police Force is a threat to national security. We urge you to deploy the full weight of the law without delay.
Our Coalition remains on standby to provide continuous media backing and civil society solidarity as you take this decisive legal action.
Yours in National Service,
Signed:
Comrade James Okoronkwo
National Coordinator / Convener
Coalition of Civil Society Groups for Peace, Security, Good Governance, Equity, and Justice
The petition was signed by Comrade James Okoronkwo, National Coordinator/Convener of the Coalition of Civil Society Groups for Peace, Security, Good Governance, Equity, and Justice.
As of the time of filing this report, there was no official response from Mr. Martins Otse (VDM) regarding the allegations contained in the petition. Likewise, the Nigeria Police Force had not publicly indicated any action in respect of the petition. The People’s Voice Nigeria News will continue to monitor developments and provide updates as they unfold.
