Nigerians Drag VDM Over Involvement in Okoye Brothers Saga

https://x.com/yabaleftonline/status/2086700623945175203?s=46

Social media activist Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), has faced intense online backlash after inserting himself into the long-running Okoye family feud involving former P-Square members Peter Okoye (Mr P), his twin brother Paul Okoye (Rudeboy), and their elder brother and one-time manager Jude Okoye.

The dispute, which centres on allegations of financial mismanagement, diverted royalties, and betrayal within the family and the group’s business affairs, has simmered for years. It flared up again in recent weeks after Peter Okoye released a multi-part video series detailing his grievances against Jude and, by extension, Paul. Peter has accused Jude of mishandling funds, including royalties, and of prioritising personal interests over the group. Supporters of Peter largely rallied behind his narrative, while calls grew for the other brothers to respond fully.

VDM first entered the conversation by urging Nigerians not to rush to judgment. In a live session, he argued that the public was being overly emotional in backing Peter without first hearing from Paul and Jude. He drew a parallel with the prolonged search for justice in the late singer Mohbad’s case, saying emotional one-sided support had hindered progress there. “Nigerians are so emotional. This is why Mohbad will never get justice. Everybody is supporting Peter, but they have yet to hear from Paul and Jude,” he stated.

He later revealed that Peter had invited him to a private meeting at a hotel, where the singer spent hours presenting documents, bank transactions, and claims of diversion of funds and properties. VDM said he initially believed Peter completely and was emotionally affected, given his long-standing admiration for P-Square. Peter allegedly pointed to Phyno as a potential key witness who had also been affected by Jude. VDM claimed that when he later raised the matter with Phyno, the rapper’s reaction raised doubts for him.

VDM proceeded to scrutinise aspects of the claims in subsequent videos, including referencing court-related details around an alleged $800,000 withdrawal that the EFCC later indicated it lacked supporting evidence for, and questioning figures tied to other catalogues (such as one involving Cynthia Morgan that Jude had reportedly shared). He positioned himself as seeking balance and evidence rather than taking sides blindly, at one point offering a substantial personal stake for independent verification of certain revenue claims.

This approach triggered a wave of criticism. Many Nigerians accused VDM of inserting himself into a private family matter, appearing to defend or soften the case against Jude, and shifting focus away from Peter’s allegations at a moment when public sentiment heavily favoured the singer. Online commentary labelled his involvement unwelcome interference. Liberian actor and producer Frank Artus publicly warned him to “stay off” the Okoye family dispute, praising VDM’s broader advocacy for Nigeria while advising him to protect his respect and leave the family matter alone. “As long as it comes to Okoye’s family, stay off it,” Artus said.

VDM pushed back against the pressure at points, insisting he would not be silenced and comparing the situation to past cases (including Mohbad) where public narratives later shifted. He suggested Peter had approached him expecting one-sided support but had not anticipated independent scrutiny. Critics, however, continued to drag him for what they saw as overreach.

By Sunday (August 9, 2026), amid sustained pressure, VDM announced he was withdrawing from the saga. In a video, he said his earlier comments had aimed at balance after listening to both sides. He apportioned roughly 40 per cent of the blame to Jude for refusing to step down as manager after Peter requested his removal over alleged financial issues, while also pointing to roles played by Peter, his wife, and other family members. He stated that responsibility should not fall on only one person and that he would now focus on other matters, including preparing for a police panel appearance related to separate allegations.

The episode highlights the intense public interest in the Okoye family’s internal conflicts and the risks social media personalities face when wading into celebrity family disputes that already command strong emotional investment from fans. While some Nigerians supported VDM’s call for all sides to be heard, a significant portion viewed his involvement as unnecessary and unwelcome, leading to the swift and vocal pushback that prompted his exit from the conversation. The underlying feud between the brothers remains unresolved in the public eye.