Abuja, Nigeria — Martins Vincent Otse, the outspoken social media critic popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), has been released from the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) after nearly six days in detention.
His lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, confirmed the release on Wednesday, May 7, 2025 in a post on X (formerly Twitter), expressing gratitude to Nigerians and public figures who called for his freedom.
“VDM released to us on bail. Special thanks to @DAPLawFirm especially the head of our firm @Marvin_Omorogbe. Thank you Nigerians for speaking up for him,” Adeyanju wrote.
“Thank you Egbon @YeleSowore. Thank you HE Peter Obi, Atiku Abubakar, Davido, opposition lawmakers, etc. I must also thank the chairman of EFCC for indulging and listening to all my concerns since on Friday last week and his team. The struggle continues.”
Otse was arrested on Friday, May 2, 2025, after visiting a Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB) branch in Abuja with his mother to investigate allegedly unauthorised deductions from her account.
His detention sparked immediate backlash across social media, with calls for his release trending nationwide.
The arrest drew condemnation from high-profile political and cultural figures.
Former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi described the action as “a disregard for the rule of law and human rights.”
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar called Otse’s prolonged detention “a violation of his constitutional rights and a sign of growing authoritarianism.”
Afrobeats star Davido also weighed in, praising the unity shown by Nigerians in demanding VDM’s release and highlighting the power of online activism.
On Tuesday, May 6, 2025, the EFCC stated that Otse was arrested following multiple petitions alleging financial misconduct.
The commission said Otse had failed to respond to several formal invitations before he was eventually apprehended.
“He refused to show up in spite of several invitations sent to him. EFCC is aware of several unguarded attacks made by Otse against its operations; his arrest was not motivated by those actions,” EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale said in a statement.
Oyewale confirmed that Otse was granted administrative bail and would face charges if investigations substantiate the claims against him.
VDM, known for his brash style and advocacy against fraud and exploitation, has a large following on social media, where he often takes aim at public figures and institutions.
