Real Reasons Why Social Media Firebrand VeryDarkMan Was Arrested by Security Operatives

 

Popular social media figure and controversial commentator Martins Vincent Otse, widely recognized by his alias VeryDarkMan (VDM), has once again found himself on the wrong side of the law. On Sunday, operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arrested the influencer over accusations relating to cyberstalking—a charge that underscores his growing list of legal entanglements.

According to a reliable source within the EFCC who preferred to remain unnamed, the arrest follows “multiple complaints that VDM used his digital platforms to harass, insult, and intimidate various individuals,” actions allegedly contravening the provisions of Nigeria’s Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act of 2015. While the source refrained from disclosing the identities of the complainants or details of the cases, it was made clear that the agency is treating the matter with significant seriousness.

This latest development comes amid a string of legal confrontations for Otse, who has built his reputation on his blunt and unapologetic style of addressing national issues and personalities. His confrontational approach, while popular among a segment of his online following, has repeatedly placed him at odds with law enforcement and public figures alike.

Back in May 2024, the influencer was arraigned before the Federal High Court in Abuja on a five-count charge of cyberstalking. The charges stemmed from allegations that he harassed the Nigeria Police Force, along with popular Nollywood actresses Iyabo Ojo and Tonto Dikeh, via his online platforms. VDM pleaded not guilty at the time but was remanded in custody pending a bail hearing.

Legal troubles for the activist did not end there. By September of the same year, he was slapped with a N1 billion defamation lawsuit by crossdresser and internet celebrity Idris Okuneye, popularly known as Bobrisky. The suit was prompted by the circulation of an audio recording in which VDM alleged that Bobrisky bribed EFCC operatives to dismiss pending money laundering investigations. Bobrisky denied the claims, insisting the recording was fabricated using AI-generated technology—an accusation that added a digital twist to an already convoluted drama.

Two months later, in November, Otse appeared once more in court—this time facing charges of impersonation. The prosecution alleged that he unlawfully donned a police uniform and presented himself as a law enforcement officer. Again, he maintained his innocence and was granted bail set at ₦2 million by an Abuja Chief Magistrate Court.

Further compounding his legal saga, a court order issued in April 2025 demanded his immediate arrest over allegedly defamatory remarks directed at gospel singer Mercy Chinwo. The court also instructed VDM to retract the statements and issue a public apology—another blow to his already strained public relations.

Sunday’s arrest appears to have been sparked by a recent incident at a Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank) branch in Abuja, where Otse publicly decried unauthorized withdrawals from his mother’s account. While the EFCC has not formally linked the complaint to his detention, VDM’s legal counsel Deji Adeyanju confirmed that the arrest came shortly after the episode.

Speaking with Vanguard from overseas, Adeyanju stated, “I’m currently not in Nigeria, but I’ll be back in Abuja tomorrow (Monday) afternoon. By 4 p.m., we’ll be at the EFCC to secure his bail.” He also noted that the EFCC has yet to provide a comprehensive list of the charges against his client.

The news of VDM’s arrest has already begun to draw sharp criticism from civil society actors and human rights advocates. Omoyele Sowore, an outspoken activist and former presidential candidate, has condemned the move, characterizing it as a thinly veiled attempt to muzzle a critic of the establishment.

“The EFCC has no constitutional authority to prosecute individuals for criminal defamation, libel, or cybercrime,” Sowore asserted in a strongly-worded statement. “Those are matters for civil litigation. The arrest and detention of Martins Vincent Otse is nothing short of unlawful and amounts to a suppression of dissent.”

Sowore further alleged that the EFCC was acting in retaliation after VDM openly accused the agency and its leadership of corruption and misconduct—allegations that have stirred significant public discourse and suspicion.

Despite mounting public pressure, the EFCC has remained tight-lipped. Efforts to reach its spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, have so far been unsuccessful, as his phone lines remained unreachable as of press time.

There are indications that formal charges could be filed as early as Monday, though no official confirmation has been made. The unfolding case continues to generate debate over freedom of expression, the role of regulatory bodies, and the blurry line between activism and criminality in Nigeria’s digital age.

While supporters hail VeryDarkMan as a truth-teller fearlessly holding powerful entities to account, critics argue that his methods often border on provocation and defamation. As his legal battles escalate, the public remains divided—and deeply engrossed—in the saga of Nigeria’s most polarizing social media crusader.