Why We Arrested VDM – EFCC

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has confirmed the arrest of social media activist Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), following what it described as multiple petitions filed by members of the public. Speaking to BBC News Pidgin, EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale stated that Otse was taken into custody to respond to a series of allegations raised by several petitioners. While declining to disclose specific details, Oyewale emphasized that the commission had a responsibility to act on the petitions it received and to protect the complainants.

When asked whether Otse’s arrest was linked to Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank), Oyewale clarified that the petitions came from various individuals and were not necessarily tied to a single entity. He added that the EFCC plans to arraign Otse and that he would be released once he meets bail conditions. “We are law-abiding and will charge him to court as soon as possible,” he said.

Otse was reportedly arrested on Thursday, May 2, shortly after visiting the GTBank branch in Area 3, Garki, Abuja, with his mother and an associate. According to the Take It Back (TIB) Movement, the activist had gone to the bank to address complaints about unauthorized deductions from his mother’s account when EFCC operatives apprehended him. CCTV footage of the arrest has since circulated widely online, sparking public outrage and raising concerns about the potential targeting of vocal critics.