Abuja, Nigeria — Social media influencer and rights activist Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), has been arrested by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) at a branch of Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank) on May 2, 2025. The incident has led to widespread public outrage and raised concerns about the bank’s role in the operation.
Deji Adeyanju, VDM’s legal counsel, reported that his client was ambushed by EFCC operatives while leaving the bank. According to Adeyanju, VDM was trapped inside the bank’s exit door for over five minutes, allowing officers to apprehend him. “VDM was locked inside the GTB exit door for over 5 mins to enable EFCC arrest him and his friend,” he stated.
Adeyanju announced plans for legal action against GTBank for what he described as inhumane treatment. “We will issue a public statement soon,” he said. Adeyanju’s team, led by Marvin Omorogbe, is currently working to secure VDM’s release. “Our lawyers just met VDM’s friend who was arrested with him. VDM refused to come out of the cell; he won’t see anyone,” he added.
The exact reasons for VDM’s arrest remain unclear. However, his critics suggest that this action exemplifies a broader pattern of using security agencies to silence dissent. VDM is known for his fearless commentary on political issues affecting Nigeria, often taking on the elite.
This arrest closely follows VDM’s recent complaints about suspicious debits from his mother’s bank account at GTBank, which he publicly addressed days before his arrest. He tweeted about the discrepancies, indicating that GTBank staff were cooperating with his inquiries.
Following the arrest, Adeyanju claimed that the police initially detained VDM, stating, “Just in: VDM arrested by the police at GTB. This is absolutely unacceptable.” He described further violence, saying VDM was “accosted at gunpoint… beaten and blindfolded by some armed men wearing black uniforms” just outside the bank.
After the arrest, EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale stated that VDM was taken into custody following various petitions. “We have some petitions against him that we are working on,” Oyewale said but did not confirm the specifics of the charges. “Every petition is a discreet thing… not what we discuss on the pages of the newspaper,” he added.
The arrest has intensified discussions about the treatment of outspoken activists in Nigeria. Many observers are alarmed by the implications for freedom of expression, considering VDM’s known criticisms of the government and institutions.
As the situation unfolds, many Nigerians are calling for greater transparency and accountability from both the EFCC and GTBank. Activists argue that this incident could set a dangerous precedent regarding the state’s power to suppress criticism.
