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Tag: Verydarkman

  • Fans celebrate VeryDarkMan’s release from EFCC custody

    Fans celebrate VeryDarkMan’s release from EFCC custody

    Supporters of  embattled  activist Martins  Otse, popularly  known as VeryDarkMan (VDM),  have expressed  delight  over   his release after  spending six days in the   custody of  the  Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) .

    Earlier, in a viral video posted by his supporters  on social media , VDM   was seen inside a car alongside his lawyer, Deji Adeyanju,  revealing that he was arrested on allegations of money laundering.

    He however questioned the credibility of the accusation, stating that someone in his financial position could hardly be involved in such an offence.

    He said:  “How can  EFCC accuse someone who isn’t wealthy of money laundering? I’ve done a lot of charity work, and they’re wondering where I get the money from, not knowing I’m running it on debt.

    “Anyway, I’m out here with my lawyer—and you know what I stand for. I can never be locked up as long as my lawyer is by my side.”

    The video was thereafter followed by a post by Adeyanju on his social media page confirming that VDM was released on bail.

    He wrote: “VDM released to us on bail. Special thanks to Deji Adeyanju and Partners, especially the head of our firm, Marvin Omorogbe. Thank you, Nigerians, for speaking up for him. Thank you, Egbon Sowore.

    “Thank you, Peter Obi, Atiku Abubakar, Davido, opposition lawmakers, etc.

    “I must also thank the chairman of EFCC for indulging and listening to all my concerns since Friday last week and his team. The struggle continues.”

    Read Also: VeryDarkMan breaks silence on EFCC arrest

    VDM was arrested by operatives of the EFCC on Friday in Abuja, with the anti-graft agency disclosing that it secured a court order to remand him pending conclusion of an investigation into alleged cybercrime offences.

    His arrest immediately sparked  outrage on social media, with the hashtag #FreeVDM, trending across different platforms, as well as protests by VDM’s supporters  in Abuja and other parts of the country, calling for  his release.

    Many celebrities, including Davido and Cubana Chief Priest said VDM’s arrest   was carried out like an “abduction”, which left many Nigerians worried, and therefore demand his release.

    However, his release has stir reactions from different quarters,particularly his fans and netizens, causing a buzz in social media.

    Reacting to his freedom, @Viktor_Meritt wrote, “Welcome back… In good health,” a sentiment shared by many who welcomed him home.

    @JohnGodswill_ celebrated with, “Somebody shout freedom,” expressing the relief of followers who saw his release as a victory.

    Another user, @amaechi_josh, posted, “Baba don Show o,” reflecting VDM’s return to social media after days of silence.

    @aimejocelin453 added, “We are plenty our president please please let’s hear it,” hinting at VDM’s influence and loyal following.

    @Baby796170852 asked, “Why do @officialEFCC still have his phone?” spotlighting the ongoing concern about withheld personal property.

    @MichaelDan206 expressed confusion, saying, “No condition for his bail…Will he be there with them?” questioning the legality of the arrest.

    Supporter @Bigdadi praised his legal team, “You are doing a good job for him continue,” urging those handling his account to stay active.

    @festus12003 summed up the joy with, “The happiness is forever oooo,” capturing the celebratory mood among fans.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that VDM, whose social media activism commenced in 2022, garnered popularity through interactions with Nigerian celebrities, which led to an increase in his online following.

    He is known for his courage and outspoken nature, especially against perceived injustice in society, however, his  impulsive and uncensored  approach on  issues has led to several run-ins with the law.

    In May 2024, he was arraigned at the Federal High Court in Abuja on five counts charges of cyberstalking, stemmed from alleged online harassment of the Nigeria Police Force and Nollywood actresses Iyabo Ojo and Tonto Dikeh.

    He pleaded not guilty and was remanded in police custody until his hearing on May 29, 2024, and was released after  two weeks in detention.

    In September 2024, VDM was sued for N1 billion by controversial crossdresser  Idris Okuneye, known as Bobrisky, for defamation.

    The suit followed the circulation of a voice recording by VDM alleging that Bobrisky bribed EFCC officials to quash money laundering charges, however bobrisky denied the claim, alleging the recording was generated using AI technology.

    Also, in September that year, Falana & Falana Chambers issued a 24-hour ultimatum to VDM via a letter, demanding an immediate retraction and apology for allegedly defamatory statements against Femi Falana on Instagram.

    In November 2024, he faced fresh charges of impersonation before an Abuja Chief Magistrate Court as prosecutors accused him of unlawfully dressing as a police officer and presenting himself as one.

    He again pleaded not guilty and was granted bail in the sum of ₦2 million.

    In April this year, a court order was issued for his arrest over alleged defamatory remarks made against popular gospel singer Mercy Chinwo, as the court directed him to delete the content and publicly apologise.

    (NAN)

  • VeryDarkMan breaks silence on EFCC arrest

    VeryDarkMan breaks silence on EFCC arrest

    Controversial activist Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, has spoken out about his recent arrest and detention by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    He was taken into custody on May 2 after visiting a new generation bank branch in Abuja and released five days later on May 7, according to his lawyer, Deji Adeyanju.

    VeryDarkMan, in a video with his lawyer, dismissed the EFCC’s allegations of suspected money laundering, saying they were baseless and that he doesn’t have the kind of wealth that would warrant such claims.

    Read Also: EFCC gets court order to detain VeryDarkMan

    He attributed his charitable activities to debt rather than wealth, expressing relief at being released with his lawyer.

    He said: “They think I am into money laundering, how would they put money laundering for person wey no get money? I have done so many charities, and them they wonder how. They don’t know that I use debt for charity. Anyway, we are outside, with my lawyer, of course.”

    VDM’s arrest triggered nationwide outrage with fans and celebrities staging protests at EFCC offices to demand his release, denouncing the action.

  • VDM’s arrest: GTBank a victim of narrative manipulation

    VDM’s arrest: GTBank a victim of narrative manipulation

    By Isaac Asabor

    Let us pause here and consider the logic behind this outrage. A citizen walks into a bank to make a complaint, a right guaranteed by his status as a customer. He is attended to and then exits the premises. Sometime after that, he is arrested by officers of the Nigeria Police Force. Yet somehow, without evidence or an official statement linking the two events, the bank becomes the villain in the eyes of the public. If that is not a textbook example of scapegoating, what is?

    In the age of social media, it has become far too easy for misinformation to spread like wildfire, and in the process, facts are trampled, reputations are dragged, and innocent entities are often scapegoated. The recent arrest of popular Nigerian social media activist Martins Vincent Otse, widely known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), is a clear case study of this disturbing trend.

    Since the news of his arrest broke, many Nigerians on social media have been quick to point fingers, and unfortunately, one of the first institutions to fall under the weight of public outrage was Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank). The basis of this backlash? VDM had earlier visited one of the bank’s branches in Abuja to lodge a complaint regarding alleged unauthorized transactions from his mother’s bank account.

    Let us pause here and consider the logic behind this outrage. A citizen walks into a bank to make a complaint, a right guaranteed by his status as a customer. He is attended to and then exits the premises. Sometime after that, he is arrested by officers of the Nigeria Police Force. Yet somehow, without evidence or an official statement linking the two events, the bank becomes the villain in the eyes of the public. If that is not a textbook example of scapegoating, what is?

    Thankfully, in this case, we are not operating in an information vacuum. VDM’s own legal representatives, Barrister Deji Adeyanju, a well-known human rights lawyer, have publicly clarified the sequence of events as he explicitly stated that his client was not arrested inside or outside any GTBank branch. According to Adeyanju, the arrest occurred in Area 3, a different part of Abuja, hours after the bank visit.

    Furthermore, the legal team later discovered that VDM was being detained by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), not GTBank, not private security operatives, and certainly not on bank premises. These are not speculations; they are statements made by legal professionals actively involved in the case.

    So, what exactly did GTBank do wrong? Listen to a customer’s complaint? Allow a citizen to use their platform to seek help over suspected fraud on an account? Since when did being present at a location prior to an arrest translate to complicity?

    What we are seeing here is a classic case of narrative manipulation, the kind that thrives in the absence of critical thinking and journalistic rigor. Because VDM is a public figure and his arrest was unexpected, people wanted an explanation, and they wanted it fast. Social media users, in a rush to identify the “culprit,” made GTBank an easy target simply because it was part of the last known chain of events. But this kind of deductive shortcut is both intellectually lazy and ethically dangerous.

    Institutions like GTBank operate under strict regulatory frameworks. Any collaboration with law enforcement, especially involving the arrest or detention of an individual, would require formal procedures, not whispers in corridors or nods from bank managers. There is absolutely no evidence to suggest that any such procedures were invoked. As far as the facts go, GTBank was merely a stop on VDM’s personal journey that day, not a conspirator in his arrest.

    Read Also: Nigeria boosts defence capability with China ammunition deal

    This issue goes far beyond one bank and one influencer. It speaks to a broader societal challenge in Nigeria and, indeed, across the world: our collective tendency to jump to conclusions, weaponize assumptions, and lash out at convenient targets. This behavior is amplified by not a few social media buffs who consume information in fragments, and who see outrage as more valuable than truth.

    The speed at which GTBank was dragged into this controversy should alarm anyone who values fairness and due process. In a society already struggling with misinformation, disinformation, and a growing distrust of institutions, we must be more careful with how we frame our narratives. It is neither responsible nor just to destroy reputations based on conjecture.

    It is common to see Nigerian institutions, banks, telecoms, hospitals, even public offices, come under attack when something goes wrong. Some of this criticism is well-deserved, no doubt. Many institutions need to do more to earn public trust. But when an entity is wrongfully accused or made to suffer reputational damage due to events beyond its control, the society must rise to its defense, not just for the institution’s sake, but for the sake of justice and accountability.

    GTBank has spent decades building its brand as one of Nigeria’s leading financial institutions. Like any large organization, it has had its fair share of criticism, but this particular situation, the arrest of a customer who visited one of its branches, is not its fault, and should not be made to seem like it is.

    To allow this misinformation to fester unchallenged is to participate in the erosion of corporate integrity. Tomorrow, it could be another bank, another school, another public institution, all falsely accused because they happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.

    There are more important questions that deserve the public’s attention: Why was VDM arrested? What charges, if any, have been formally filed against him? Was due process followed in his arrest and detention? What role is the EFCC playing, and how transparent has it been in its handling of this matter?

    These are the real issues that demand scrutiny. Redirecting anger toward an uninvolved party not only derails the conversation but also lets the real actors off the hook. Exonerating GTBank in this context is not a recourse to shield institutions from criticism, rather, it is an act of advocating for fairness, truth, and focus.

    It is said that in times of confusion, facts are our best compass. That compass is clearly pointing in the direction of GTBank’s innocence in the arrest of VeryDarkMan. The bank neither instigated, facilitated, nor benefited from the event. The arrest was a state action, carried out in a different location, and connected, according to legal sources, to entirely different matters.

    Let us not make GTBank the scapegoat for an incident in which it played no role. Let us be mature enough to separate presence from participation, and coincidence from conspiracy.

    Social media may thrive on heat, but newspapers, and history, must favor light. The truth is simple and unembellished: GTBank did not arrest VeryDarkMan. And that should be the end of it.

    Isaac is a Social Commentator and he’s writing from Abuja.

  • EFCC gets court order to detain VeryDarkMan

    EFCC gets court order to detain VeryDarkMan

    • ’Why we arrested Tik-Toker’

    Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has defended the arrest and detention of popular activist and social media influencer, Martins Vincent Otse, widely known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), stating that it acted under the law as it got a court order.

    In a statement posted on its X handle yesterday, the anti-graft agency said Otse was arrested following petitions alleging grave financial misconduct.

    According to the EFCC, Otse repeatedly failed to honour invitations sent to him through his known addresses and communication channels, prompting his eventual arrest.

    “The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), in the exercise of its mandate of tackling economic and financial crimes, invited Martins Vincent Otse owing to a series of petitions bordering on sundry issues of alleged financial crimes raised against him. He refused to show up in spite of several invitations,” the statement read.

    Read Also: Atiku’s unfulfilled Nunc Dimittis

    While acknowledging reactions to the arrest, the Commission insisted it had obtained the appropriate Remand Order and had a legal right to keep Otse in custody.

    “It is needful to admit that the Commission is aware of several unguarded attacks of the suspect against its operations. While such conduct is condemnable, his arrest was not informed by such attacks,” the EFCC said.

    The agency added that Otse had been offered administrative bail and would be released once he meets the stipulated conditions.

    It further assured the public that charges would be filed against the activist once investigations were concluded.

    “The EFCC should be allowed to do its job without fear or favour. As soon as investigations are concluded, charges will be filed,” the statement added.

  • EFCC finally breaks silence on arrest of VeryDarkMan

    EFCC finally breaks silence on arrest of VeryDarkMan

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has clarified its position over the ongoing investigation of Martins Innocent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan following widespread public interest and speculation.

    The Nation reports that VeryDarkMan was arrested in a joint operation by the Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Police Force and  Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    Otse was arrested last Friday at a bank premises in Area 3 Abuja for alleged Cyberstalking.

    However, according to a statement by the anti-graft agency on its X page on Tuesday, Otse was invited in connection with multiple petitions alleging serious financial crimes and refused to show up.

    The statement reads: “The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC,  in the exercise of its mandate of tackling economic and financial crimes, invited Martins Innocent Otse owing to a series of petitions bordering on sundry issues of alleged financial crimes raised against him.  

    “He refused to show up in spite of several invitations sent to him through his known addresses and medium of communication.  The petitions pertain to grave allegations of financial malfeasance which cannot be ignored by the Commission.

    Read Also: DSS, Police, EFCC arrest VeryDarkMan in joint operation

    “It is needful to admit that the Commission is aware of several unguarded attacks of the suspect against its operations.  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.

    “The EFCC has a lawful right to hold Otse in custody like any other suspect being investigated by the Commission.  The appropriate Remand Order was obtained in this regard.  He has been offered an administrative bail and would be released after fulfilling all the bail conditions.  

    “The Commission appreciates the interest of Nigerians in its operations.  The passion, enthusiasm and torrential reactions to all of its activities are welcome.  However,   insinuations about its motive in carrying out its assignment should no longer continue.

    “The EFCC should be allowed to do its job without fear or favour.  As soon as investigations are concluded,  charges will be filed.”

  • VeryDarkMan may be released today

    VeryDarkMan may be released today

    Indications have emerged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) may release social media influencer Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan on Tuesday.

    The Nation also learnt that there are plans to formally charge him to court on Thursday.

    A senior official within the anti-graft agency, who spoke on condition of anonymity confirmed the development on Monday, noting that while Otse remains in custody, he has not yet been formally arraigned.

    VeryDarkMan was recently arrested by the EFCC over allegations of cyberstalking.

    His legal representative, Deji Adeyanju, who confirmed Otse’s arrest on X, said a team of policemen arrested VDM along with his friend, C Park.

    Read Also; Court orders EFCC to pay certification fee for documents in ex-aviation minister’s ‘trial

    Scores of youths on Monday took to the streets of Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, to protest the arrest of the activist.

    The protesters, who marched from the headquarters of EFCC to the premises of a commercial bank where he was reportedly arrested, held placards with inscriptions such as “Release Very Dark Man,” and “Seyi Tinubu, Are You Involved?,” among others.

    They described VDM’s arrest and detention as illegal and demanded transparency from the authorities as they vowed to take their grievance to the Nigerian Human Rights Commission, in the Maitama district of the nation’s capital.

  • DSS, Police, EFCC arrest VeryDarkMan in joint operation

    DSS, Police, EFCC arrest VeryDarkMan in joint operation

    • Protesters demand Tik-Toker’s release

    Fresh facts emerged yesterday that a social media activist, Martins Otse ( the VeryDarkMan), was arrested in a joint operation by the Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Police Force and  Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    Otse was arrested last Friday at a bank premises in Area 3 Abuja for alleged Cyberstalking.

    He was allegedly molested before he was taken away.

    But the operation has led to a public protest in Abuja.

    A highly-placed security source said: “It was a joint operation by the DSS, the police and the EFCC.

    “There are several petitions against him. After interrogation by the EFCC, the police will do its own and then hand him over to the DSS.

    “VDM has a long journey ahead of him. He is detained based on a warrant from the court.”

    Despite the claim of VDM’s lawyer, Mr. Deji Adeyanju, that his client was in EFCC’s custody, the anti-graft commission denied keeping VDM.

    Spokesperson of EFCC, Mr. Dele Oyewale, was not available.

    Meanwhile, several youths took to the streets of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) yesterday, in protest of the arrest of VeryDarkMan (VDM).

    Read Also: What Nigerian Casino Players Can Learn from Lucky Spins Scene in Canada

     The protesters, who were sighted in Wuse, after Berger Bridge, described VDM’s arrest and detention as illegal.

    They vowed to take their grievance to the Nigerian Human Rights Commission in Maitama district of the nation’s capital.

    The youths chanted: “He’s not a thief, Now VDM has blocked the road, Release VDM.”

    The protesters, who carried placards with various inscriptions, converged on the junction leading to the headquarters of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, in Jabi.

     Adeyanju told our correspondent: “This is absolutely unacceptable. Demanding accountability is not a crime.’’

  • Protesters storm bank in Abuja, demand VeryDarkMan’s release

    Protesters storm bank in Abuja, demand VeryDarkMan’s release

    Protesters on Monday stormed a new generation bank in Abuja, demanding the immediate release of popular social media influencer Martins Otse, widely known as VeryDarkMan (VDM).

    Chanting slogans such as “#FreeVDM” and carrying placards with messages like “Activism is not a sin” and “VDM has committed no offence”, the demonstrators accused authorities of unjustly targeting the activist.

    VeryDarkMan was recently arrested by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged cyberstalking.

    According to his lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, he was ambushed and arrested within the bank premises.

    Read Also: VeryDarkMan to be released upon meeting bail conditions — EFCC

    However, the bank has denied any involvement in the arrest, releasing CCTV footage that shows VDM walking out of the banking hall towards the car park shortly before his detention.

    The protesters questioned the bank’s alleged role in the arrest and condemned what they described as an attempt to silence the influencer for his outspoken activism.

    The incident has sparked widespread outrage on social media, with many calling for his immediate release and criticising the EFCC’s handling of the situation.

  • Davido calls for the release of VeryDarkMan

    Davido calls for the release of VeryDarkMan

    Afrobeats star Davido has expressed solidarity with social media activist VeryDarkMan, who is currently detained.

    The arrest reportedly occurred shortly after he visited a branch of a new generation bank to complain about alleged unauthorised transactions from his mother’s account.

    In a tweet, Davido highlighted the positive impact VDM has had on people’s lives, despite the controversies surrounding him.

    The Grammy nominee noted that the outpouring of support for VDM is encouraging and motivates him to do more for the masses.

    “Outside all the noise, it’s good to see that the good one does impact lives, and people appreciate it! The support I’m seeing for VDM everywhere is encouraging, making one want to do more for the masses.

    “Free my guy”, he said.

  • VeryDarkMan arrested in Abuja – Lawyer claims

    VeryDarkMan arrested in Abuja – Lawyer claims

    Controversial activist Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), has reportedly been arrested by Operatives of the Nigerian police in Abuja.

    VDM’s lawyer, Deji Adeyanju disclosed this via series of tweet on his X handle on Friday, May 2.

    The arrest reportedly followed his public criticism of a new generation bank over alleged unauthorised transactions from his mother’s account.

    According to Adeyanju, officers apprehended VDM at Area 3 in Abuja.

    Read Also: VeryDarkman urged to be fair with Abike-Dabiri as NiDCOM boss recognized for major efforts against human trafficking

    Adeyanju’s tweet reads: “VDM arrested by the police at a bank. Spoke to them before he was arrested. This is absolutely unacceptable. Demanding accountability is not a crime.”

    In another tweet, he wrote: “A team of policemen arrested VDM at bank. He was arrested with his friend C Park but they left his mom alone.”

    Adeyanju added: “We will sue the bank and the security agencies responsible for the arrest of VDM if he’s not released with immediate effect.”