Nigeria’s foremost anti-corruption agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has confirmed the arrest of controversial social media activist, Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), following what it described as “multiple petitions” filed against him.
Speaking to BBC News Pidgin on Monday, EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale stated that the outspoken influencer was taken into custody to respond to a string of serious allegations from different individuals.
“We arrested him to respond to a series of allegations raised against him by some petitioners,” Oyewale said, emphasizing that the commission is duty-bound to protect petitioners and uphold the law.
When asked about speculation linking the arrest to Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank), Oyewale clarified that the complaints stemmed from several unrelated sources. He added that plans were underway to charge Otse in court, noting that the EFCC would release him once he meets bail conditions.
“We are law-abiding,” Oyewale stressed, “and will take the case to court as soon as possible.”
However, the arrest has ignited a storm of backlash, especially from civil society groups and online supporters. The Take It Back (TIB) Movement, a pro-democracy advocacy group, has demanded the immediate and unconditional release of Otse, describing his arrest as “unlawful,” “premeditated,” and “an abuse of power.”
In a statement released on Sunday by its Lagos State Coordinator, Adekunle Adeyemi Taofeek (popularly known as Scotty Aluta), the group accused the EFCC and GTBank of collusion. The statement revealed that Otse was arrested on Thursday, May 2, 2025, shortly after visiting a GTBank branch in Area 3, Garki, Abuja, with his mother and an associate. The visit was reportedly to resolve issues concerning unauthorized deductions from his mother’s account.
Disturbingly, CCTV footage of the arrest, which has since gone viral, shows EFCC operatives apprehending Otse in a manner that many critics have described as excessive and targeted — further fueling allegations of a coordinated crackdown on a government critic.
Even more troubling is the reported disappearance of Otse’s mother, who was present during the incident. According to TIB, her current whereabouts remain unknown, raising grave concerns about her safety.
“This is not the first time Mr. Otse has been targeted for speaking out against corruption, injustice, and systemic rot,” the statement read. “The continued detention of VeryDarkMan and the mysterious disappearance of his mother signal a dangerous descent into authoritarianism and state-sponsored intimidation.”
Otse, known for his blunt and often viral critiques of societal ills, has amassed a massive following online. His arrest has sparked national and international outrage, with human rights activists, legal professionals, and public commentators calling for transparency and adherence to due process.
As public pressure mounts and questions multiply, all eyes are now on the EFCC, GTBank, and the Nigerian justice system — will justice be served, or is this another chilling tale of silencing dissent in modern-day Nigeria?
PIONEER NEWS 