Social media critic VeryDarkMan (VDM) and the camp of Afrobeats global superstar David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, have traded allegations over the root causes of their public fallout and a purported plot surrounding the critic's 2024 arrest.

In a video released on Thursday, VDM claimed that his once-friendly relationship with Davido, which began over their shared advocacy for justice following the September 2023 death of singer Mohbad, deteriorated after he uncovered a covert WhatsApp group chat.

The critic alleged that individuals within Davido's inner circle used the platform to orchestrate his 2024 arrest due to his persistent questioning regarding Mohbad's death, describing the singer's refusal to address the matter as a personal betrayal.

"I tried repeatedly to reach Davido to understand why people in his circle would allegedly be involved in such a plan... The same issue that brought us together eventually became the reason we fell apart," VDM stated.

Responding to the allegations, Davido’s logistics manager, Isreal DMW, released an official statement dismissing VDM's claims as false and clarifying that the singer had no involvement in any detention schemes or industry sabotage.

Isreal emphasized that if anyone associated with the 30BG camp joined the alleged group chat, they did so without Davido's instruction or consent.

"Those who were in that WhatsApp group, got there without his instructions or approval... Those who told VDM that [Davido attempted to interfere with Mohbad's catalogue or sign former associates], fully lied," Isreal DMW countered.

Isreal added that Davido maintained a neutral, law-abiding stance throughout the Mohbad investigation, refusing public pressure to condemn peers like Naira Marley on hearsay while allowing law enforcement to conduct a thorough inquiry.

The tragic passing of Mohbad in late 2023 ignited widespread digital activism across Nigeria, with key commentators and high-profile celebrities frequently clashing over investigation updates, record label politics, and online campaigns.

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