In a stunning turn of events, controversial social media activist Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), has been released from the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, after a tumultuous five-day detention. His lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, confirmed the release with a terse statement: “He has been released,” igniting a wave of celebration among VDM’s fervent supporters.
Otse’s arrest on Friday, May 2, 2025, at a Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank) branch in Abuja sent shockwaves across Nigeria. The EFCC cited “multiple petitions alleging serious financial crimes” as the basis for his detention, claiming Otse had repeatedly ignored invitations for questioning sent to his known addresses. The agency secured a lawful remand order and offered him administrative bail, which he fulfilled to secure his release. However, conflicting reports from Adeyanju suggested no formal petitions were presented, raising questions about the arrest’s legality.
The EFCC’s actions sparked a firestorm of controversy. On Monday, May 5, hundreds of protesters, chanting “#FreeVDM” and wielding placards with slogans like “Activism is not a sin” and “VDM is the masses’ liberator,” stormed GTBank’s headquarters in Abuja. Some demonstrators drove through the city, amplifying demands for Otse’s release. The hashtag #FreeVDM trended nationwide, with civil society groups, including Amnesty International and the Public Interest Lawyers League (PILL), condemning the EFCC for what they called an “unlawful” detention and a crackdown on dissent.
Adding fuel to the fire, sources revealed that Otse’s arrest involved coordinated efforts by the EFCC, Nigeria Police Force, and Department of State Services (DSS), with plans to transfer him to DSS custody post-interrogation. The EFCC also faced accusations of targeting Otse for his vocal criticism of the agency and public figures, including exposés on alleged preferential treatment of controversial figure Bobrisky during detention.
Despite the EFCC’s claim of investigating “grave allegations of financial malfeasance,” no formal charges were filed by the time of Otse’s release. The agency maintained that its actions were lawful, urging Nigerians to allow it to “do its job without fear or favour.” However, human rights advocates, including HURIWA, slammed the EFCC for allegedly acting as an “enforcer” for GTBank, where Otse had protested unauthorized deductions from his mother’s account.
Otse, a self-proclaimed “social reformer,” is no stranger to legal battles. In March 2025, a court issued a warrant for his arrest in a defamation case filed by gospel singer Mercy Chinwo, and in October 2024, he was briefly detained for wearing a police uniform in a satirical video. His unapologetic campaigns against corruption and injustice have earned him a massive following but also powerful enemies.
As VDM walks free, the saga has reignited debates about freedom of speech and the use of state power to silence critics in Nigeria. Analysts warn that such arrests could erode the country’s democratic credentials, with PILL stating, “Nigeria is a constitutional democracy, not a police state.” For now, VeryDarkMan’s release is a victory for his supporters, but the battle for transparency and justice rages on.
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