Presidency Threatens Legal Action Against VeryDarkMan Over Alleged Fake Tinubu Audio

The Presidency has threatened legal action against social media commentator Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), over the circulation of an audio clip it says was falsely attributed to President Bola Tinubu.

Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, issued the warning in a statement posted on his verified X account on Wednesday. He accused VDM of sharing manipulated content in which a voice resembling the president’s made controversial remarks about insecurity in the South-east, borrowing from the World Bank and the 2027 general election.

Onanuga: This Amounts to Misinformation

Onanuga said the audio clip amounted to misinformation that could deceive the public and tarnish the president’s image. He stated that the government would pursue legal action if VDM did not retract and publicly apologise.

“The circulation of this audio is an act of deliberate misinformation designed to mislead Nigerians and damage the reputation of the president,” Onanuga said in the statement.

The Presidency warned that spreading AI-generated content attributed to public officials would not be tolerated and that the government would use all legal means to protect the integrity of its communications.

VDM’s History With the Law

This is not the first time VDM has faced legal trouble. In April 2026, he was linked to the Blord cryptocurrency impersonation case (Post 543), where the court eventually granted bail to the crypto entrepreneur. VDM has built a reputation as a controversial social media figure who frequently posts critical commentary on government policies and public figures.

The audio saga adds to the growing debate around AI-generated deepfake content and its impact on Nigeria’s political discourse ahead of the 2027 elections.

Sources: Premium Times, The Nation