Prominent activist and social media influencer, Martins Otse, better known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), has been arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) last Friday, but will be released today, a source close to the situation has confirmed to Vanguard.
VDM’s release follows a wave of protests sparked by his arrest, which took place in Abuja. The protests, led by scores of youths, notably in the Wuse area of the Federal Capital Territory, denounced his detention as unlawful. The demonstration escalated in size, demanding answers from authorities.
The former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, alongside political figures such as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and activists including Richard Akinnola, have condemned the arrest. Celebrities like Davido and Cubana Chief Priest also voiced their support for VDM, calling for his immediate release.
According to an EFCC insider, VDM has not yet been formally charged but will face multiple charges related to cyberstalking and other offences. The EFCC is reportedly in the process of preparing the charges, which are expected to be filed in court by Thursday.
“VeryDarkMan has not yet been formally charged,” the source told Vanguard. “However, charges are currently being prepared, and we plan to file them in the coming days.”
The delay in clarifying the reasons for VDM’s arrest led to growing public unrest, with many of the protesters stating that they were unaware of the full details until shortly before taking to the streets. PDP Deputy National Youth Leader, Timothy Osadolor, criticized the government’s silence and questioned why it took over 48 hours for authorities to address the situation.
“If there had been timely communication regarding his arrest, I doubt we would have witnessed the current protests,” Osadolor remarked. “It’s clear the government was aware of the public discontent, as seen in their urgent response to the situation.”
The protests not only focused on VDM’s arrest but also sparked broader discussions about youth engagement and political awareness ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 elections. Osadolor emphasized the importance of voter education, urging the youth to prioritize hard work over seeking public sector jobs and to leverage their voting power wisely in the upcoming elections.
VDM’s arrest has undoubtedly drawn significant attention, and it remains to be seen how the situation will unfold as charges are brought before the courts later this week.
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