Seun Kuti Speaks Out as VeryDarkMan's Arrest Sparks Accusations Against Religious Leaders and Banks [VIDEO]

The arrest of controversial online commentator, VeryDarkMan (VDM), has stirred a wave of speculation, protest, and finger-pointing — with Afrobeat artist Seun Kuti stepping into the fray with bold allegations against Nigeria’s banking sector and religious establishment.

Details remain sketchy, but it is believed that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) picked up the outspoken social critic in Abuja. Not long after the arrest, rumors began to circulate linking the financial institution Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB) to the development, a claim that has yet to be officially addressed by the bank or the EFCC.

For those familiar with VeryDarkMan’s unfiltered commentaries on social and political issues, the news of his detention came as less of a surprise and more of a confirmation that his candor has drawn the ire of powerful entities. Seun Kuti, never one to shy away from controversy himself, has emerged as one of the few public figures willing to speak candidly about the arrest.

In a fiery reaction shared online, the son of legendary Afrobeat pioneer Fela Kuti alleged that the arrest has less to do with financial crimes and more to do with VeryDarkMan’s decision to weigh in on a contentious dispute involving a prominent Gospel singer. While Seun did not directly name the singer in question, online buzz has pointed fingers toward Mercy Chinwo, whose ongoing legal battle with her former record label boss, Eezee Tee, has generated significant media attention.

According to Seun Kuti, his insights stem directly from conversations with Deji Adeyanju — the lawyer representing both himself and VeryDarkMan. The musician explained that he and Adeyanju are already engaged in a legal tussle with GTB and other Nigerian banks, highlighting what he describes as systemic corruption and lack of integrity within the financial sector.

“VDM’s lawyer is my lawyer, and we’re currently entangled in a case with GTB and other banks. There’s no bank in Nigeria that’s a good bank,” Kuti declared without mincing words.

This arrest, Kuti suggests, is part of a larger pattern of suppression by both state institutions and influential religious figures. He painted a grim picture of a country where truth-tellers are punished, and where powerful church leaders operate with the kind of unchecked influence that rivals government authority.

“As Federal Government is running our country, all these big pastors dey run Nigeria,” Kuti said. “The people of God are the ones fighting VDM for speaking the truth.”

His remarks reflect a growing sentiment in parts of Nigerian civil society that religious institutions — particularly the mega churches and their leaders — wield disproportionate influence in national affairs. For years, these leaders have been accused of interfering in politics, shielding questionable finances, and promoting a prosperity gospel that critics argue distracts from the country’s real socio-economic challenges.

In the wake of VeryDarkMan’s arrest, there’s a noticeable silence from some of the same celebrities and influencers who once benefited from his staunch support and viral defenses. The lack of solidarity has not gone unnoticed by Kuti, whose words serve as a reminder of the cost of outspokenness in an increasingly monitored digital landscape.

While neither Mercy Chinwo nor Eezee Tee has issued a statement regarding the speculated involvement in the arrest, the timing has only fueled further gossip. The tension between Chinwo and her former label boss, which includes lawsuits and accusations of breach of contract, has played out publicly and bitterly, inviting scrutiny from fans and critics alike.

VeryDarkMan’s penchant for diving headfirst into such controversies is well-documented. His fearlessness in calling out what he perceives as injustice has earned him both admiration and enemies in equal measure. His latest ordeal suggests that the latter may be catching up with him.

What started as an arrest over undefined financial allegations is fast becoming a symbol of deeper issues within Nigeria — issues of censorship, institutional failure, and the murky intersection of faith and power.

As the public awaits official confirmation of the reasons behind the arrest, and as lawyers like Adeyanju prepare to battle it out in court, the case of VeryDarkMan is quickly evolving into something far more symbolic. It represents, to many, the dangers faced by those who dare to question dominant narratives and entrenched authority.

Whether justice or retribution is behind the EFCC’s move remains to be seen. But what is clear is that Seun Kuti, true to his family legacy, is unafraid to stand in the fire — and he believes that VeryDarkMan is being burned for telling uncomfortable truths. 

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