VDM Lands In Fresh Trouble As Senate Orders DSS, Police To Probe Fake Akpabio Hospitalisation Claim
By Passman Akpos
Popular social media activist, Martins Vincent Otse, widely known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), is facing mounting trouble following the circulation of what has now been described as false information concerning the health of Senate President, Godswill Akpabio.
The controversy erupted after VDM took to his social media platforms to claim that Akpabio had been hospitalised in a United Kingdom hospital. The claim spread rapidly online, triggering public speculation and heated debates. However, the narrative was later contradicted by official records and public appearances showing that the Senate President was not hospitalised.
On Tuesday, December 16, 2025, Senator Godswill Akpabio presided over plenary at the National Assembly, where ambassadorial nominees forwarded by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu were screened. This appearance effectively debunked the viral report of his alleged hospitalisation abroad.
Angered by the spread of what they described as “deliberate misinformation,” senators have reportedly directed the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigerian Police Force to investigate the source of the fake news and those responsible for amplifying it. Sources within the National Assembly say individuals involved may soon be invited for questioning.
VDM’s critics argue that the incident further exposes what they describe as his reliance on propaganda rather than verified, firsthand information. They accuse him of rushing to publish unverified claims in a bid to break news and attract engagement.
However, supporters of VDM have pushed back strongly, insisting he did not originate the claim. They argue that in his video, VDM stated that the information was “according to reports” and that he referenced where he got the story from. Some have questioned why he is being singled out when multiple platforms discussed the same issue.
The situation escalated after an old post attributed to VDM resurfaced online, where he addressed Akpabio directly in a controversial tone regarding his trip to London. The post has further fueled calls for accountability and intensified scrutiny of his online conduct.
As investigations loom, political observers say the case could become a defining moment in Nigeria’s ongoing debate over social media responsibility, fake news, and freedom of expression.
For now, VDM remains silent on whether he has received an invitation from security agencies, but insiders say questioning could happen at any time.
