The controversy surrounding the arrest of Mr. Livinus Nwosu, Bayelsa State Coordinator of RATEL Movement led by Nigerian activist Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), has taken a new turn following a detailed account by eyewitness Mr. Preye Bagou, who has challenged prevailing narratives and raised concerns over misinformation circulating on social media.
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The incident, which earlier sparked outrage from social media personality Martins Vincent Otse—popularly known as VeryDarkMan—had drawn public attention after he criticized the First Lady of Bayelsa State, Gloria Diri, accusing her of failing to fulfill promises made to an assault victim identified as Nancy.
However, in a Facebook post, Bagou—who facilitated the initial meeting between the First Lady and Nwosu—offered a contrasting narrative, alleging that Nwosu’s actions were driven by financial motives rather than genuine advocacy.
“As one who initiated the meeting between Her Excellency and him; I cautioned the young man from the beginning, but he refused to listen. He felt he could do whatever he likes on social media and get away with it,” Bagou stated.
According to him, Nwosu had initially demanded monetary compensation running into millions of naira, rather than prioritizing the scholarship and welfare support promised by the First Lady for the victim.
“His expectation from the beginning was that the government should compensate him and Nancy with millions of naira for damages, and let go of the scholarship and other benefits as pledged,” he added.
Bagou further revealed that the First Lady had provided financial assistance voluntarily, including an additional sum upon appeal, all of which was transferred to Nwosu. Despite this, he alleged that Nwosu remained dissatisfied and continued to push for greater financial gains.
“The most painful part was that Livinus used his girlfriend to pose as Nancy’s elder sister, deceiving me, Her Excellency, and others until he was discovered by investigators,” Bagou claimed.
He also accused Nwosu of manipulating the victim’s family, alleging that he influenced Nancy’s mother to demand ₦10 million in compensation while the accused perpetrators were still in custody at the Okaka Correctional Centre.
While commending the efforts of the Gender Response Initiative Team (GRIT), which was tasked by the First Lady to pursue justice in the case, Bagou criticized Nwosu for allegedly prioritizing financial demands over legal redress.
“When members of GRIT were fighting for justice, Livinus was busy demanding compensation,” he said.
Bagou disclosed that his concerns deepened when the victim later submitted a ₦30 million estimate for lost items—an amount he described as “outrageous” and likely influenced by Nwosu.
“I knew at that point she was being manipulated. I withdrew myself from the process,” he explained.
The eyewitness also addressed personal accusations made against him by Nwosu, describing them as false narratives intended to discredit both him and the government.
In a reflective tone, Bagou cautioned against reckless use of social media, stating, “We must know our boundaries while dealing with people online. I hope he learns from this experience.”
The unfolding developments suggest a complex web of claims and counterclaims, raising broader concerns about the role of social media activism, accountability, and the risks of misinformation in sensitive matters.
Observers note that the reaction by Martins Vincent Otse, reportedly made without full engagement with officials of the First Lady’s office, may have further amplified tensions and shaped public perception prematurely.
As the situation continues to evolve, stakeholders have called for restraint, thorough investigation, and reliance on verified facts to ensure justice and protect the integrity of all parties involved.
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