Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has condemned the arrest and continued detention of popular social media influencer, Martins Vincent Otse, widely known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
In a statement issued on Monday, Atiku described the incident as “yet another blatant abuse of power” by the administration of President Bola Tinubu, accusing the government of using state machinery to suppress dissent and silence opposition voices.
“What is even more alarming is that Mr. Otse remains in custody without any formal charges. This is a flagrant violation of his constitutional rights and a chilling reminder of the growing authoritarianism under this government,” Atiku said.
Otse was arrested on Thursday, May 2, 2025, shortly after visiting a Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank) branch in Area 3, Garki, Abuja.
Eyewitnesses and activists allege that the influencer was trapped inside the bank’s exit door for over five minutes, enabling EFCC operatives to apprehend him without resistance.
Renowned human rights lawyer and activist, Deji Adeyanju condemned the arrest, calling it an “inhumane setup” and vowed to take legal action against the bank.
“VDM was locked inside the GTB exit door for over five minutes to enable EFCC to arrest him and his friend,” Adeyanju posted on social media. “We will take legal action against GTB for this treatment.”
Adeyanju’s legal team, led by attorney Marvin Omorogbe, later confirmed that they had located VDM in EFCC custody and were actively working to secure his release.
The controversial arrest sparked immediate backlash, with dozens of youths staging a protest outside a GTBank branch in Abuja.
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The demonstrators waved Nigerian flags and held placards demanding VDM’s release, further fueling public outrage.
Atiku warned that the treatment of VeryDarkMan fits into a “disturbing pattern” of crackdowns on critics, journalists, and opposition members under the Tinubu-led government.
“While security agencies are quick to target dissenters and critics — often with complete disregard for due process — political loyalists with credible allegations of corruption walk free, trading sycophancy for immunity,” he stated.
He urged Nigerians to reject what he described as “state-sponsored repression,” insisting that democracy must not be defined by intimidation and suppression.
“The Tinubu administration’s systematic crackdown on opposition voices is nothing short of disgraceful. It is an affront to democratic norms and must be fiercely condemned and resisted,” Atiku concluded.
As of Monday, VDM remains in EFCC custody without formal charges, and the situation continues to garner nationwide attention and concern over civil liberties in Nigeria.
