Temitayo Olumofe
On a humid Friday in early May, the usually bustling streets of Abuja took on a new energy. Young people, some with placards reading “Release Very Dark Man” and “Seyi Tinubu, Are You Involved?”, gathered in protest. Their voices echoed through the Federal Capital Territory, demanding the release of Martins Vincent Otse-better known online as VeryDarkMan (VDM), -a social media activist whose arrest by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had set off a storm of controversy and public debate.
On May 2, 2025, VDM accompanied his mother to a branch of Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank) in Abuja. The visit was meant to resolve an issue of unauthorized withdrawals from her account, which had been labeled as “loan repayments” despite her never taking a loan. Instead, it ended with VDM’s sudden arrest by EFCC operatives, who also detained his friend, known as C Park. According to VDM’s lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, VDM was locked inside the GTB exit door for over five minutes to enable EFCC to arrest him and his friend. His mother, present at the scene, was left behind, bewildered and distressed.
The EFCC confirmed the arrest, stating that it was carried out “to address a series of allegations made against him by various petitioners”.
Dele Oyewale, the EFCC spokesperson, explained, “We took him into custody to address a series of allegations against him by various petitioners. We will release him once he meets the bail requirements, and we will proceed with the case in court as soon as possible, as we adhere to the law”.
News of VDM’s arrest spread rapidly across social media, with supporters and activists expressing outrage. The following Monday, scores of youths took to the streets in Abuja, chanting slogans and demanding his immediate release. Some protesters threatened to escalate their grievances to the Nigerian Human Rights Commission. The arrest drew condemnation from prominent figures, including musician Davido, Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, and PDP stalwart Atiku Abubakar. Davido called for VDM’s release, while Obi criticized the manner of the arrest, likening it to a kidnapping.
According to the EFCC, VDM’s arrest was not a spur-of-the-moment decision. The agency cited multiple petitions alleging financial malfeasance and cyberstalking. Dele Oyewale stated that VDM refused to show up despite several invitations sent to him through his known addresses and medium of communication. The EFCC insisted that the allegations were serious and had a lawful right to hold VDM in custody, having obtained the appropriate remand order from a Chief Magistrate Court in Abuja.
The agency emphasized that VDM’s arrest was not motivated by his frequent criticisms of the EFCC or government officials. “While such conduct is condemnable, his arrest was not informed by such attacks. The relevant law enforcement agency will be allowed to look into them,” Oyewale clarified. The EFCC further assured the public that VDM would be released once he fulfilled his bail conditions and that charges would be filed in court after investigations were concluded.
VDM’s legal counsel, Deji Adeyanju, challenged the EFCC’s narrative. He confirmed that VDM was arrested at GTBank and detained for several days without clear disclosure of his alleged offences. Adeyanju stated that bail was granted to VDM, social media bail, as” we are yet to receive any bail document from the commission. We have made several repeated demands in this regard since yesterday that we were informed about the decision to grant bail”.
According to the legal team, only VDM’s friend, C Park, was released after being granted bail. VDM remained in custody, with his lawyers expressing frustration over the EFCC’s refusal to provide full details of the allegations or the bail documentation.
Martins Vincent Otse, or VeryDarkMan, is no stranger to controversy. Known for his blunt criticism of celebrities, politicians, and social issues, he has built a large following on social media. His activism has often put him at odds with powerful individuals and institutions, leading to multiple arrests and ongoing court cases.
VDM’s supporters see him as a fearless advocate for truth and accountability. Actress Rita Edochie praised him for “consistently standing for the truth”. Others, like activist Omoyele Sowore, accused the EFCC of using the arrest to silence a prominent critic of corruption.
This was not VDM’s first encounter with law enforcement. In March 2025, a Chief Magistrate Court in Abuja issued a warrant for his arrest after he failed to appear in court over criminal defamation charges brought by gospel artist Mercy Chinwo. In October 2024, he was detained for allegedly wearing a police uniform in a social media video, though he was later released on bail. Earlier in 2025, VDM had even predicted that the EFCC would come after him, citing his outspoken criticism and a viral video of him distributing money.
The protests in Abuja reflected a deep divide in public opinion. Many young Nigerians rallied behind VDM, seeing his arrest as an attack on free speech and activism. So proud to witness this movement, one supporter wrote online. Others, however, were less sympathetic, dismissing the protesters as “jobless” or “lazy youths” who should focus on more pressing national issues like insecurity and economic hardship.
On social media, the debate raged on. Some users questioned why so many were willing to protest for VDM but not for broader societal problems. “There’s hardship in the land they didn’t protest. There’s insecurity in the land they didn’t protest. Because VDM was arrested, they all came out,” one commenter noted.
The arrest drew criticism from across the political spectrum. The People’s Democratic Party (PDP), former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, activist Richard Akinnola, and celebrities like Davido and Cubana Chief Priest all condemned the EFCC’s actions. Their involvement amplified the public outcry and put additional pressure on the authorities to justify their actions.
As of May 6, 2025, the EFCC announced that VDM would be released upon meeting bail conditions, but his legal team insisted they had not received any official bail documents. The EFCC also confirmed that it was preparing to file multiple charges against VDM, including cyberstalking and related offences, based on the petitions received.
VDM’s supporters accused GTBank of collaborating with the EFCC to facilitate his arrest, citing the incident where he was allegedly trapped inside the bank’s exit door until operatives arrived. His legal team has threatened legal action against the bank for its role in the arrest.
The EFCC maintains that it acted within its legal mandate, responding to serious allegations and following due process by obtaining a court order for VDM’s detention. The agency insists that its actions were not influenced by VDM’s criticisms or activism, and that it is simply doing its job without fear or favour.
However, critics argue that the timing and manner of the arrest, particularly the use of a bank visit as an opportunity to detain a high-profile critic, raise questions about selective enforcement and the suppression of dissent. The lack of transparency regarding the specific charges and the delay in granting bail have further fueled suspicions of political motivation.
The arrest and detention of VeryDarkMan have become a flashpoint in Nigeria’s ongoing struggle over free speech, accountability, and the rule of law. For his supporters, VDM represents the courage to speak truth to power in a society where activism can come at a high personal cost. For the authorities, his case is a test of the legal system’s ability to address allegations of wrongdoing while respecting individual rights.
As the legal process unfolds, the public will be watching closely, not just to see what happens to VDM, but to gauge whether Nigeria’s institutions can balance the demands of justice, transparency, and freedom of expression. The streets of Abuja may quiet down, but the questions raised by this case will linger, shaping the country’s political and social landscape for months to come.