EFCC Confirms VeryDarkMan’s Arrest, Says He’ll Be Charged to Court Over Cyberstalking Petitions
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has confirmed the arrest of controversial social commentator Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), following growing online and street-level protests demanding his release.
VDM was apprehended last Friday by a combined team of EFCC operatives, Department of State Services (DSS) agents, and Nigeria Police Force officers shortly after leaving a bank in Wuse, Abuja. Eyewitnesses claim he was manhandled before being whisked away by the heavily armed security team.
Sources confirmed that his arrest was based on a court-issued warrant and linked to multiple petitions, largely tied to allegations of cyberstalking.
“It was a joint operation,” a senior security official told The Nation. “After his initial interrogation by the EFCC, the police will take over, followed by the DSS. VDM has a long journey ahead of him.”
On Monday, EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale confirmed the arrest in an interview with BBC News Pidgin. He explained that VDM was taken into custody based on several petitions from individuals accusing him of cyberstalking.
“We arrested him to respond to a series of allegations raised against him by some petitioners,” Oyewale stated. “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.”
When asked if the case was connected to Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB), Oyewale clarified that the petitions came from different sources, and the EFCC has a responsibility to address their concerns.
VDM’s legal team, led by human rights lawyer Deji Adeyanju, is currently working to gain access to him and prepare for any legal proceedings. Adeyanju criticized the arrest, saying,
“This is absolutely unacceptable. Demanding accountability is not a crime.”
In response to the arrest, dozens of youths took to the streets of Abuja on Monday, protesting near Berger Bridge and at the EFCC headquarters in Jabi. Carrying placards and chanting slogans like “He’s not a thief” and “Release VDM,” the protesters demanded his immediate release.
As of Monday morning, VeryDarkMan remains in EFCC custody pending further legal action.
By Ezinne Okorie.