Alleged Coup Plot: Court Orders DSS Probe of VeryDarkMan Over Evidence Leak Claim

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has ordered the Department of State Services (DSS) to investigate allegations that evidence tendered in an ongoing alleged coup plot trial was published on social media by activist and content creator Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan.

Justice Joyce Abdulmalik issued the directive on Tuesday during proceedings in the case involving six defendants facing charges related to an alleged plot to overthrow the administration of President Bola Tinubu.

The judge ordered the DSS to determine whether any material presented before the court and protected under existing witness protection directives had been unlawfully circulated online.

Justice Abdulmalik further directed that if investigations reveal any breach of the court’s order protecting witnesses and evidence, those responsible should be identified and prosecuted in accordance with the law.

The development followed claims by the prosecution counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), that videos and other evidence tendered before the court had appeared on social media platforms and were allegedly published by VeryDarkMan.

Oyedepo raised the issue during proceedings and urged the court to take note of the alleged publication.

When invited by the court to respond, lawyers representing the six defendants denied any involvement in the dissemination of the materials.

Some defence counsel argued that the prosecution should file a formal application supported by an affidavit if it intended to pursue the allegation.

Justice Abdulmalik, however, ruled that the DSS should investigate the matter while the substantive trial continues.

The court also heard arguments on bail applications filed by the defendants.

While defence lawyers requested that their clients be granted bail on liberal terms, the prosecution opposed the applications and urged the court to refuse the requests.

The judge subsequently adjourned the matter to June 25 and June 30 for the first three defendants to present their defence in the ongoing trial-within-trial concerning the voluntariness of their statements to investigators.

The remaining defendants are expected to present their cases on July 1 and July 2.

Justice Abdulmalik also fixed July 20 for ruling on the bail applications.

The six defendants are currently standing trial over allegations of involvement in an alleged coup plot against the Federal Government, accusations they have denied.