EFCC Refutes BBC Claim on Reason Behind VeryDarkMan’s Arrest

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has refuted a report by BBC News Pidgin that claimed the agency confirmed the reason for the arrest of controversial social media activist Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM). The EFCC, in a post shared on its official social media platforms on Monday evening, labelled the BBC report as “fake news” but did not provide further clarification or an alternative explanation.

BBC News Pidgin had reported that EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale stated VDM was arrested following multiple petitions against him and that he would be released upon meeting bail conditions, with arraignment to follow. The EFCC’s public dismissal of that report appears to challenge not the arrest itself, but the narrative around the reason and official confirmation attributed to the agency.

VDM was taken into custody on Thursday, May 2, 2025, shortly after visiting a GTBank branch in Area 3, Garki, Abuja. His arrest has since sparked public outcry on social media, with accusations that the bank assisted EFCC operatives in executing the detention. According to his lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, VDM was locked inside the bank’s security exit for several minutes to delay his exit until operatives arrived. Adeyanju has announced plans to pursue legal action against the bank for its alleged role in the incident.