JUST-IN: Social Activist VeryDarkMan Arrested by EFCC

Controversial social media critic, Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), has been taken into custody by the Economic and financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

This was after he was arrested on Friday by officers of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) at the premises of Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank) in Abuja.

The arrest reportedly stemmed from VDM’s recent public criticism of GTBank over alleged unauthorised withdrawals from his mother’s account. His vocal demand for accountability gained widespread attention online prior to his arrest.

His legal representative, Barrister Deji Adeyanju, confirmed the incident on Twitter. “JUST IN: VDM arrested by the police at GTB. Spoke to them before he was arrested. This is absolutely unacceptable. Demanding accountability is not a crime,” Adeyanju posted.

In a follow-up tweet, Adeyanju added that VDM was arrested alongside a friend, identified only as C Park. “A team of policemen arrested VDM at GTB. He was arrested with his friend C Park but they left his mom alone,” he said.

However the human rights activist and lawyer took to his X handle some minutes later saying, “VDM DETAINED AT EFCC: Our lawyers led by the Head of our firm @Marvin_Omorogbe just met VDM’s friend who was arrested together with him in EFCC custody. VDM refused to come out of the cell; that he won’t see anyone. VDM was locked inside the GTB exit door for over 5mins to enable EFCC to arrest him and his friend. We will be taking legal actions against GTB for the inhumane treatment matted out to our client.”

As of the time of this report, the police have not issued any official statement regarding the arrest, and it remains unclear whether formal charges have been filed.