ANAMBRA POLICE ACTION ON THE CULT CLASH THAT RESULTED IN THE FATAL INJURY OF FOUR PERSONS AT AFOR NAWFIA MARKET. (PHOTO). #PRESS RELEASE
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has refuted a BBC News Pidgin report claiming the agency confirmed the arrest of social media activist Martins Vincent Otse, widely known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), over multiple petitions. The EFCC dismissed the report as "fake news" in a statement posted on its social media platforms Monday evening.
The BBC News Pidgin article, published earlier on May 5, quoted EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale as saying VDM was detained following complaints from several petitioners. It further claimed Oyewale stated the activist would be released upon meeting bail conditions and was set to face court charges soon. However, the EFCC countered these claims by sharing screenshots of the BBC report and another individual’s post, branding them misleading without providing further details.
VDM was arrested on Thursday, May 2, 2025, shortly after visiting a GTBank branch in Area 3, Garki, Abuja, to address unauthorized deductions from his mother’s account. The arrest has ignited widespread controversy, with social media users and public figures questioning the circumstances surrounding it. Allegations have surfaced that GTBank collaborated with EFCC operatives to facilitate the arrest.
Deji Adeyanju, VDM’s lawyer, alleged that the bank deliberately delayed the activist’s exit, claiming, “VDM was locked inside the GTB security exit door for over five minutes to enable EFCC to arrest him and his friend.” Adeyanju vowed to pursue legal action against GTBank, stating, “We will take legal action against GTB for this treatment.”
The incident has sparked outrage online, with hashtags like #FREEDVM trending as supporters, including Nigerian musicians Davido and Skales, demand VDM’s release. Critics, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, have labeled the arrest a “disgraceful” crackdown on dissenting voices.
The EFCC has not disclosed the official reason for VDM’s detention, leaving room for speculation and further public debate. As the situation unfolds, all eyes remain on the agency and GTBank for clarity on the contentious
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