Controversial Nigerian social critic Martins Vincent Otse, widely known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), has been arrested and detained by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Abuja.
The arrest, which occurred on Friday, came just days after VDM publicly accused Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank) of unauthorized loan deductions from his mother’s account. According to his legal counsel, Deji Adeyanju, the arrest was initially believed to have been carried out by the police but was later confirmed to involve EFCC operatives from the Special Duty Committee (SDC) Unit 4.
“Just in: VDM arrested by the police at GTB… This is absolutely unacceptable. Demanding accountability is not a crime,” Adeyanju posted on X. He later clarified that VDM and his associate, Steven Avuara (aka C-Pack), were “accosted at gunpoint, beaten and blindfolded” shortly after exiting the GTBank branch at Garki, Area 3.
The duo was then transported to the EFCC headquarters in Jabi, where they remain in custody. However, VDM’s mother, Mrs. Blessing Otse—who was reportedly with them at the bank—has not been seen since, raising serious concerns about her safety and whereabouts.
In an official statement, Adeyanju stated:
“We are unable to confirm the whereabouts of Mrs. Otse… Mr. Martins Otse declined to see anybody when we visited EFCC custody.”
The legal team claims EFCC operatives failed to disclose the reason for VDM’s detention but presented an arrest warrant, reportedly linked to allegations of cyberstalking.
When contacted by Peoples Gazette, EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale confirmed that there are “petitions” against VDM but declined to provide details, saying:
“Every petition is a discreet thing; it is an operational matter, not something we discuss in the media… Whether he is arrested or not arrested, I’m not confirming that.”
VDM had recently posted about irregular debits from his mother’s account, tweeting:
“We have requested her bank statements… So far, this year alone, there have been more than seven debits on loan repayments.”
GTBank, he noted, had been cooperating with his inquiry—until Friday’s arrest.
As of now, the case is raising broader concerns about financial accountability, due process, and the protection of whistleblowers. VDM’s supporters continue to demand his release and an explanation for his mother’s disappearance.
