In a fiery rant that’s ignited fresh drama in Nigeria’s celebrity circles, controversial socialite Bobrisky has slammed activist VeryDarkMan (VDM), claiming the reality star Phyna made a grave error by enlisting his help in her sister’s high-profile accident case involving a Dangote truck. Bobrisky, known for his unfiltered opinions, accused VDM of derailing the matter irreparably, drawing parallels to the late singer Mohbad’s controversy where VDM’s involvement allegedly turned everything “upside down.” The outburst comes amid escalating tensions following the heartbreaking death of Phyna’s sister, Ruth Otabor, whose case has exposed rifts, accusations of greed, and public sympathy battles.
Bobrisky, whose real name is Idris Okuneye, went live on social media, opining that Phyna – the outspoken BBNaija Season 7 winner with a massive platform – should have voiced the issue herself instead of turning to VDM. “The mistake that girl made was to go to VeryDarkMan. You should have just used your page and voiced out, let Nigeria hear you; your page is enough,” Bobrisky fumed in a clip that’s since gone viral. He continued, “Going to VeryDarkMan, he has spoiled the case now, the same thing he did during Mohbad. We don’t see front, we don’t see back. The moment he puts his mouth in the Mohbad case, everything went sour. Everything turned upside down.” The socialite, who has his own history of clashes with VDM over bribery allegations in 2024, dismissed the activist as “all noise” and inconsequential, adding a personal jab: “He once told me I’d never leave Nigeria, yet I did.”
The controversy stems from the tragic accident in Auchi, Edo State, where Ruth Otabor, a recent graduate and mother of two, was severely injured by a Dangote truck last month. The crash led to the amputation of one leg, with fears of further complications, prompting Phyna to seek public intervention. She initially reached out to VDM, the self-styled social crusader known for calling out big names, who amplified the story and pressured the Dangote Group for accountability. VDM claimed he met with company reps alongside Phyna and warned of protests if justice wasn’t served, even threatening to shut down Dangote operations in Edo State if Ruth’s health worsened.
However, the alliance soured quickly. VDM accused Phyna of betrayal, alleging she secretly met with Dangote officials behind his back, driven by greed for a ₦1 billion compensation rather than focusing on Ruth’s treatment, scholarships for her children, or a lifetime salary from the company. He shared screenshots of chats, claiming Phyna hid details about Ruth’s kids and sidelined the biker involved in the crash. Phyna fired back, branding VDM a “manipulator” and “liar,” insisting he ignored her calls after initial involvement and leaked private info. She apologized publicly but accused him of shifting focus from her sister’s plight to personal drama. Tragically, Ruth passed away on August 31, 2025, just days after the public fallout intensified, with content creator Izzy Ogbeide blaming VDM for eroding sympathy and distracting from the family’s grief.
Bobrisky’s intervention has polarized fans. Supporters of Phyna, including actress Kate Henshaw who earlier demanded justice, argue her platform alone could have mobilized support without VDM’s “toxic” involvement. “Phyna’s voice is louder than VDM’s noise,” one netizen tweeted, echoing Bobrisky’s sentiment. Critics, however, defend VDM, pointing to his role in forcing Dangote to initially pledge medical support and cover bills at Lagoon Hospital in Lagos. One X user noted, “VDM exposed the greed; Phyna wanted billions while her sister suffered.” The Mohbad reference hits hard – VDM’s demands for a DNA test in the 2023 singer’s death case were criticized for sensationalism, allegedly complicating investigations into the circumstances surrounding Mohbad’s demise.
Dangote Group has remained relatively silent but confirmed initial commitments to Ruth’s care, including transferring her to a better facility after Phyna’s outcry. Eyewitness accounts and police reports have added layers, with some claiming Ruth alighted from a bike and stood on the road arguing before the incident, and the biker – alleged to be her baby’s father – is alive, contrary to early reports. Nollywood actor Izu Tech accused Phyna of misleading the public, calling her the “real manipulator” for not disclosing full details.
This saga underscores the double-edged sword of social media activism in Nigeria, where influencers like VDM wield power but risk overshadowing victims. Phyna, still reeling from her loss, has urged focus on accountability, while Bobrisky’s bold take – delivered with his signature flair – has trended under hashtags like #PhynaVsVDM and #BobriskySpeaks. As legal battles loom and public opinion sways, one thing’s clear: in the world of Nigerian celebs, alliances are fragile, and one wrong move can “spoil the case” forever.