Nigerian Afrobeats superstar Davido has joined a growing chorus of netizens and celebrities demanding the immediate release of social media critic Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), following his arrest by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Friday, May 2, 2025. The controversial activist was detained in Abuja under unclear circumstances, shortly after visiting a Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank) branch in Garki, Area 3, to address unauthorized deductions from his mother’s account, which he claimed were falsely labeled as loan repayments. The incident has sparked widespread outrage, with Davido’s vocal support amplifying the #FreeVDM movement across social media.
In a heartfelt post on X, Davido praised VDM’s impact, writing, “Outside all the noise it’s good to see that the good one does actually impacts lives and people actually appreciate! The support I’m seeing for VDM everywhere is encouraging, makes one want to do more for the masses. FREE MY GUY.” His statement reflects the sentiment of thousands, including figures like Seun Kuti and Portable, who have condemned the arrest as an attempt to silence VDM’s outspoken critiques of corruption and institutional misconduct. The EFCC has cited allegations of cyberstalking as the basis for the arrest, with a source confirming VDM faces multiple complaints for using his platform to “harass, insult, and intimidate individuals.”
Details surrounding the arrest remain murky. VDM’s lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, alleged that EFCC operatives assaulted and blindfolded him, labeling him a “bandit” and threatening to shoot him in front of his mother. Adeyanju further claimed GTBank deliberately delayed VDM inside the branch to facilitate the arrest, a charge the bank has refuted by releasing CCTV footage showing VDM leaving the premises before his detention. The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) and Amnesty International have also slammed the EFCC, calling the arrest an abuse of power and a violation of VDM’s constitutional rights to free expression.
The backlash has fueled a mass boycott of GTBank, with reports indicating over 100,000 customers closing accounts, putting billions of naira in deposits at risk. Protests are planned for Monday, May 5, at GTBank’s Area 3 branch, led by VDM’s brother, Mark Otse, who was denied access to provide food at EFCC headquarters. Davido’s call for VDM’s release, echoed by posts on X from users like @GistReel and @legitngnews, underscores the activist’s influence in exposing issues like fraudulent bank practices and alleged elite corruption, including his recent criticism of the EFCC’s handling of cases involving Igbo businessmen. As VDM faces arraignment on cyberstalking charges, the public’s response highlights a broader demand for transparency and accountability, with Davido’s star power elevating the fight for justice in Nigeria’s civic space.
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