The hashtag ‘Free VeryDarkMan’ has taken over social media platforms, particularly X (formerly Twitter) as Nigerians demand transparency and justice following the reported arrest of social media critic Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM).
The demands escalated as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has remained silent on the matter, fueling speculation about the reasons behind VeryDarkMan’s reported detention.
The clamour to free VeryDarkMan began after reports emerged on May 2, 2025 that he was arrested at a GTBank location under controversial circumstances.
According to posts on X, his lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, confirmed that VeryDarkMan was in EFCC custody, with the agency refusing to disclose the specific reasons for his detention.
Adeyanju’s legal team, led by Marvin Omorogbe, also said they reportedly met with a friend of VeryDarkMan, identified as Steven Avuara, who was also detained, but the social media critic himself declined to leave his cell, stating he would not see anyone.
While the details of the reported arrest remain sketchy as of press time, VeryDarkMan was said to have been arrested after he visited a GTB branch in Garki, Abuja, to inquire into what he alleged were fraudulent deductions from his mother’s account.
Adeyanju’s legal team also revealed that VeryDarkMan is being detained under a warrant issued by Magistrate Njideka Iloanya-Duru on charges related to cyberstalking.
However, amidst flying reports, the EFCC remained silent, escalating discussions and concerns on social media with many demanding the release of the social media critic under the hashtag free VeryDarkMan.
The lack of official communication from the EFCC has sparked criticism, with many accusing the agency of targeting VeryDarkMan for his outspoken critiques of corruption and injustice.
Pan-Atlantic Kompass reports that VeryDarkMan has built a reputation as a fearless commentator, often using his platform to expose alleged wrongdoing by public figures and institutions.
His previous encounters with authorities, including a 2024 incident involving allegations against EFCC officers in a case linked to crossdresser Bobrisky, have made him a polarizing figure.
Joining the clamour under the hashtag free VeryDarkMan, Peter Obi, the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, has the EFCC, urging greater respect for the rule of law and human rights.
In a statement on X on Sunday, Obi criticised the manner of Otse’s arrest, describing it as lacking transparency and civility, resembling an abduction. He warned that such actions blur the line between lawful enforcement and criminal activity, undermining public trust and national security.
He said: “The arrest of Martin Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), though perhaps within the legal rights of security agencies, was carried out in a manner that left many Nigerians unsettled.
“The display of force, lacking in transparency and civility, closely resembled an abduction, a disturbing method that not only creates fear but also risks being mimicked by criminal elements. If Nigerians begin to struggle to distinguish between legitimate arrests and unlawful abductions, we will lose a vital layer of national security and accountability.
“This trend is not new. We must recall that even our esteemed judges, the last line of defence for justice, have suffered similar indignities in recent years. When those who interpret the law are treated with such disregard, it is difficult to expect that ordinary citizens will feel protected under the law.
“Moreover, these methods are beginning to affect our economy and business environment. The backlash directed at GTBank, allegedly linked to the circumstances surrounding Mr. Otse’s arrest, has had serious reputational consequences. At a time when investor confidence is already fragile, we must do all we can to avoid actions that tarnish institutions or undermine the trust of both citizens and the international community.
“One cannot help but ask: was it impossible to invite Mr. Otse in a civil, transparent, and legal manner? Would that not have spared Nigerians, GTBank, and our national image the unnecessary shame and losses we now witness?”
Condemning his arrest, human rights activist Omoyele Sowore said: “It has become evident that the EFCC unlawfully arrested and detained Martins Vincent Otse, also known as VDM, in a bid to silence him after he accused the agency and its leadership of corruption and misconduct.
“The EFCC is now considering legal avenues to arraign him in court, possibly tomorrow, to justify their actions.
“The Commission does not possess the legal mandate to prosecute individuals for criminal defamation, libel, or cybercrime; matters typically pursued through civil litigation. Therefore, the EFCC must release VDM without delay.”
Also, the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA), in its reactions, has condemned what it described as the “unlawful and arbitrary” arrest and detention of VeryDarkMan.
In a statement yesterday in Abuja, the National Coordinator of HURIWA, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, accused the anti-graft agency of overstepping its mandate and acting as “enforcers” for commercial banks rather than upholding the rights of citizens.
Onwubiko stated: “The EFCC is increasingly becoming a tool for oppression against ordinary Nigerians rather than a watchdog against corruption.
“It is unconscionable and legally indefensible that someone who simply questioned suspicious deductions from his mother’s account is being treated like a criminal.”
Similarly, celebrities like Davido have joined the social media clamour under the free VeryDarkMan hashtag, saying: “Outside all the noise, it’s good to see that the good one does actually impact lives and people actually appreciate! The support I’m seeing for VDM everywhere is encouraging.. makes one want to do more for the masses.”
