The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has confirmed the arrest of popular social media influencer Martins Vincent Otse, widely known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), following multiple complaints filed by members of the public.
Otse was reportedly picked up on Thursday after visiting a Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB) branch to lodge a complaint over unauthorised deductions from his mother’s account. His arrest has since sparked widespread criticism and online protests from his supporters.
Speaking to BBC News Pidgin, EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale said the commission acted on several petitions against the influencer. “We arrested him to respond to a series of allegations raised against him by some petitioners,” Oyewale said.
When asked if the arrest was linked to the GTB incident, Oyewale clarified that the petitions came from different individuals and were unrelated to the bank. “The agency has a duty to protect complainants,” he added.
Oyewale also confirmed that the EFCC plans to arraign Otse in court. “We will release him when he meets the bail conditions, and we will take the case to court as soon as possible; we are law-abiding,” he said.
The arrest has drawn sharp criticism from civil society, opposition figures, and celebrities, with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi among those calling for Otse’s immediate release.
Otse, known for his controversial videos and activism, has become a prominent voice on issues of corruption, injustice, and social accountability in Nigeria. His detention has raised concerns about the clampdown on free speech and civic engagement.
The EFCC has not disclosed the specific nature of the allegations or the identities of the petitioners.
