Popular Nigerian human rights lawyer and activist, Deji Adeyanju, has slammed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for allegedly withholding the car and phone of social media influencer, Martins Otse, widely known as VeryDarkMan, despite his recent release on bail.
VeryDarkMan, who was detained for five days, finally regained his freedom on Wednesday. His release sparked widespread celebration among supporters, many of whom had taken to social media to demand his freedom. The announcement was made by activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore, who posted via his verified X (formerly Twitter) account: “Thanks to the tireless efforts of all involved, @thatverydarkman has been freed from unjust detention at the hands of the @officialEFCC. He is now in the company of his spirited lawyer, @adeyanjudeji.”
Despite the celebratory mood following the release, Adeyanju expressed serious concerns about the EFCC’s refusal to return the influencer’s personal property. Speaking to the press on Thursday, Adeyanju confirmed that while the EFCC had granted bail without conditions, they were still withholding VeryDarkMan’s vehicle and mobile phone, raising questions about due process and rights violations.
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“I applied for bail and took full responsibility for ensuring he is available when needed. The EFCC did not set any conditions for his release, yet his car and phone remain in their custody. This is unacceptable,” Adeyanju said, noting that the continued detention of his client’s belongings is an infringement on personal rights.
Adeyanju, while maintaining professional respect for the EFCC Chairman, did not mince words in criticizing the agency’s handling of the matter. He emphasized that the delay in returning VeryDarkMan’s property sends the wrong message to the public, especially in a country where citizens increasingly feel vulnerable to abuse of power by law enforcement agencies.
The drama surrounding VeryDarkMan’s arrest began last Friday when he accompanied his mother to a GTBank branch to resolve an issue involving alleged unauthorized deductions from her account. His confrontation at the bank, and the events that followed, have once again spotlighted the challenges faced by everyday Nigerians in holding financial institutions accountable, as well as the risks influencers and outspoken individuals face in today’s social climate.
The controversy has since sparked a wave of public discourse on X and other social media platforms, with many demanding transparency and accountability from the EFCC. Hashtags like #JusticeForVDM and #ReturnHisCarAndPhone have begun trending, as netizens continue to rally behind the influencer.
As of now, the EFCC is yet to issue an official statement addressing the continued seizure of VeryDarkMan’s possessions.
