Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), a prominent Nigerian social media influencer, was released by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, after five days in custody following his arrest on May 2 at a Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank) branch in Abuja’s Area 3, Garki. The detention, which sparked nationwide protests and drew condemnation from figures like Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi, was linked to allegations of cyberstalking and financial crimes, with VDM revealing post-release that authorities suspected him of money laundering. In a viral Instagram video shared by Tunde Ednut, VDM dismissed the charges, stating, “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,” as reported by Daily Post and Pulse Nigeria.
The EFCC confirmed the arrest stemmed from multiple petitions accusing VDM of cyberstalking under Nigeria’s Cybercrimes Act of 2015, not solely his GTBank complaint about unauthorized deductions from his mother’s account, per Vanguard and Tribune Online. EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale told BBC News Pidgin that VDM ignored prior invitations, leading to a joint operation with the Department of State Services (DSS) and police, and that he was offered administrative bail, which he met on May 7. Sources, per Akelicious, suggested the EFCC probed financial transactions tied to a woman under investigation for money laundering, though VDM’s lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, reported no clear petition was disclosed, alleging GTBank facilitated the arrest by locking VDM in an exit door.
Protests erupted in Abuja, with youths marching from EFCC headquarters to GTBank, demanding VDM’s release and questioning President Tinubu’s involvement, per Naija News. Human rights activist Omoyele Sowore labeled the arrest an attempt to silence VDM’s corruption allegations against the EFCC, arguing the agency lacks authority to prosecute defamation, a civil matter. X posts, like @YeleSowore’s, amplified calls for VDM’s release, while @YOLICOM6 suggested his failure to honor EFCC invitations justified the arrest. The EFCC denied targeting VDM for his criticisms, including a January 2025 NGO investigation prompted by comedian Deeone’s forgery allegations, and insisted it acted lawfully.
VDM’s history of legal troubles, including a 2024 cyberstalking case over comments about Bobrisky’s alleged EFCC bribe and a court-ordered apology to Mercy Chinwo in April 2025, has fueled his polarizing persona, per Opinion Nigeria. Post-release, VDM, via a video on Naija News, emphasized his charity work, funded through debt, not illicit wealth, and Adeyanju hinted at potential lawsuits against GTBank for rights violations, with lawyer Joyce Iwejuo suggesting VDM could seek damages for false imprisonment, per Legit.ng. The case, set for arraignment on May 8, tests Nigeria’s balance between free speech and financial crime enforcement, with public sentiment on X, like @TIBmovement’s condemnation, reflecting fears of state overreach amid a 47/100 Freedom House press freedom score.
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