Media personality Chinedu Ani Emmanuel, popularly called Nedu Wazobia has served social media critic, Martin Vincent Otse, also known as VeryDarkMan with a pre-action notice following alleged defamatory statements published on his page.

The lawyers representing Nedu and Tokindrumz Picture and Media Ltd stated, that a 12-minute video shared by VeryDarkMan on his YouTube and Instagram pages on Wednesday, 19 February 2025, contained “a host of defamatory, false, and disparaging attacks and rhetoric” against their clients.

They described the video, titled: “How Nedu Diverted NGO Scholarship Meant for Nigerians”, as false.

They also clarified that Nedu is not the owner of Tokindrumz but a talent under the brand.

LEADERSHIP recalls that controversy began when DeeOne, a comedian and reality star, claimed on the Honest Bunch podcast that VeryDarkMan (VDM) had engaged in intimate relationships with men.

In response, VDM accused Nedu of orchestrating these allegations; he also mentioned the names of ladies Nedu claimed to have slept with.

This controversy ultimately led to Nedu stepping down from his position as one of the podcast’s hosts.

VDM also accused the Nedu Scholarship Foundation (NDSCHF) of defrauding a non-governmental organisation (NGO) that had sought to partner with Nedu.

In a letter dated February 24, Nedu’s counsel claimed that VDM posted a video on his social media pages “which contained a host of defamatory, false and disparaging attacks and rhetorics against our clients”.

The letter referenced the NGO issue, stating that Nedu’s team filed a police petition. It said the “police investigation found no legitimate case against Nedu, and the matter did not progress to court”.

They demanded that VDM retract all videos involving the media personality within 24 hours, publish a public apology, and pay N500 million in damages.

The letter stated further that failure to comply will result in further legal action.

“The rest of the video included you uttering similar false narratives and defamatory remarks that you stated in the previous video. Same was done in the other 2 videos you have posted relating to my Client and this Fraud issue,” the letter reads.

It added, “Your continuous and relentless attempts to defame Nedu and Tokindrumz and tarnish their good and respected names are both unwarranted and damaging. Let it be clearly stated: Our Clients did not commit fraud against MSBM.

“In view of the above-stated facts with supporting documents, we have instructions to solicit for the following options: a retraction of every video involving Nedu on every one of your platforms within 24 hours of receiving this notice.

“A public apology, published on every one of your platforms within 24 hours of receiving this notice and the sum of N500,000,000 (Five Hundred Million Naira) for damage to reputation caused.

“Take notice, where you render settlement inevitable, we have further instructions to seek the following reliefs by filing an action against you.

“While you are free to exercise your constitutionally guaranteed fundamental right to expression, such right should be used justly and carefully. You are only allowed to disseminate credible and factual information and not baseless accusations made to damage the reputation of any citizen. We hope that you address the issues raised.”

Acknowledging the notice in a video shared on his Instagram page, VeryDarkMan informed his followers to prepare for the court case.

“Nedu’s lawyers have served me o, so make una get ready for court case,” he said.