VDM arrested by EFCC over GTBank account criticism

DDM News

Popular Nigerian social media influencer and activist, Martins Vincent Otse, widely known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), has been arrested and detained by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The development was first reported by Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) following confirmation from human rights lawyer and activist, Deji Adeyanju, who made the disclosure in a Facebook post on Friday evening.

According to Adeyanju, the arrest is tied to VDM’s public criticism of Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank) over suspicious and unauthorized transactions linked to his mother’s bank account.

VDM had previously gone online to accuse GTBank of financial negligence after complaining that funds had vanished from his mother’s account without clear explanation or permission.

The activist took to Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), and Facebook to express his frustration with the bank’s handling of the issue.

His posts quickly went viral, sparking public debate and drawing attention to broader concerns about customer protection and accountability in Nigeria’s banking sector.

Following the incident, Deji Adeyanju revealed that his legal firm dispatched a team of lawyers led by Marvin Omorogbe to engage with EFCC authorities.

The legal team managed to speak with a friend of VDM, who was reportedly arrested and detained alongside the influencer.

However, they were unable to meet with VDM himself, as he allegedly refused to leave his detention cell or speak with anyone.

Adeyanju alleged that the arrest was carried out under questionable circumstances involving direct collaboration with GTBank.

He claimed that VDM was locked inside a GTBank exit door for over five minutes to allow EFCC operatives to arrive and arrest him.

The lawyer described the tactic as inhumane and deceptive, stating that it amounted to a coordinated effort to silence a vocal critic.

Adeyanju condemned GTBank’s alleged role in the incident and announced plans to take legal action against the financial institution.

He emphasized that his legal team would be issuing a public statement and pursuing justice through appropriate legal channels.

“We will be taking legal actions against GTB for the inhumane treatment meted out to our client,” Adeyanju said.

As of the time of reporting, the EFCC has yet to release an official statement regarding the arrest.

It remains unclear whether any formal charges have been filed against VDM or what specific infractions are under investigation.

VDM is known for his outspoken social commentary and fearless approach to confronting corruption and institutional failure in Nigeria.

His social media activism has earned him a loyal following but has also placed him in frequent conflict with authorities and powerful interests.

Observers have expressed concern over what they see as increasing suppression of dissenting voices in Nigeria’s online space.

Many Nigerians view the arrest as another example of state-backed intimidation aimed at silencing critics.

Supporters of VDM have launched online campaigns demanding his release, with hashtags such as #FreeVeryDarkMan trending on multiple platforms.

The case continues to generate public interest and raises broader questions about freedom of expression, abuse of power, and accountability in Nigeria.

The outcome of this case may set a legal and social precedent for how activists and whistleblowers are treated in the country going forward.

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