EFCC Arrests VeryDarkMan in Shocking Turn of Legal Battles

EFCC Arrests VeryDarkMan in Shocking Turn of Legal Battles

EFCC arrests VeryDarkMan—and this time, it’s not just another brush with the law. Martins Otse, famously known as VeryDarkMan, landed back in custody on May 2, 2025, after officials from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) picked him up at a Guaranty Trust Bank branch in Abuja. His fans were shocked, but for others, this wasn’t surprising. The social media firebrand has been through a string of public controversies that have turned his name into a lightning rod for attention.

EFCC’s spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, confirmed that several individuals had filed petitions accusing Otse of cyberstalking. He said, “We arrested him to respond to a series of allegations raised by some petitioners. We will release him when he meets the bail conditions and will take the case to court. We are law-abiding.”

Though some speculated the arrest was related to GTBank, the EFCC clarified that the allegations came from different individuals. Officials claimed they were simply following due process. Still, the arrest sparked protests both online and on the streets of Abuja.

Otse’s legal troubles stretch back to early 2024, and this latest arrest adds to a list that already includes six major cases. It’s a pattern that paints a picture of a man at war with Nigeria’s powerful institutions.

The first big clash came in March 2024 when Nollywood stars Tonto Dikeh and Iyabo Ojo accused him of cyberbullying and cyberstalking. After a public outcry and fierce online debates, police arrested him. He was held for two weeks before appearing in court. There, he pleaded not guilty and later regained his freedom. But that case marked the beginning of an intense tug-of-war between Otse and the law.

Not long after, Otse posted a video that set tongues wagging. In it, he wore what looked like a police uniform and jokingly called himself the “Chief Superintendent of Police of the Online Division.” While many fans laughed it off, the Nigerian Police Force didn’t find it funny.

Officers quickly launched an investigation into how he got the uniform. The backlash online was swift. Eventually, Otse released an apology. He said he didn’t mean any harm and urged Nigerians not to wear police attire without proper permission.

But controversies kept piling up. By March 2025, the Chief Magistrate Court in Abuja had issued a bench warrant for his arrest. The reason: criminal defamation. Otse had reportedly made comments that targeted popular gospel singer Mercy Chinwo. When he failed to appear in court on March 5 despite a summons, Magistrate Emmanuel Iyanna ordered police and other security agencies to find and arrest him.

Fast forward to May, and here he is again—facing fresh allegations. According to his lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, Otse’s recent arrest was not even about cybercrime in the traditional sense. He said his client was arrested for exposing an individual accused of scamming a Nigerian abroad.

Adeyanju wrote, “Our client, #thatverydarkman, has just been arrested by the police on the instruction of CP Igwe for exposing someone who allegedly duped a Nigerian abroad. Instead of the police arresting the person accused of fraud, they arrested VDM on allegations of defamation.”

The news sent shockwaves through social media. Influencers, celebrities, and fans are now rallying behind the activist, demanding his release. In Abuja, some even hit the streets, waving placards and chanting in protest.

Otse’s rise to fame didn’t come from glamour or entertainment—it came from fearlessness. He built his following by fearlessly confronting what he sees as injustice, abuse, and corruption. His critics say he’s reckless, but his fans call him brave. His platform has become a courtroom of its own, where he puts public figures and bad actors on trial—often using satire, blunt language, and emotionally-charged commentary.

But those same tactics have also drawn legal fire. Many believe his actions blur the line between free speech and defamation. It’s a debate that continues to rage, with little sign of resolution.

What sets VeryDarkMan apart isn’t just his boldness—it’s how he connects with the masses. His videos feel raw and real. His words sound like something you’d hear on the streets. He doesn’t package his message with political polish. He says what he thinks, how he thinks it, and lets the chips fall where they may.

That authenticity has earned him a loyal fan base and made him a thorn in the side of authorities. Whether he’s calling out corruption, mocking hypocrisy, or challenging religious leaders, he refuses to be silent.

The legal risks haven’t stopped him before, and they may not stop him now. If anything, they seem to fuel his mission. Still, this latest arrest shows that the stakes are rising. The more powerful he becomes online, the more resistance he meets offline.

At the center of all this is a man who sees himself as a truth-teller. But in a country where truth often comes with a cost, the question remains—how far will he go, and how long can he go on?

For now, VeryDarkMan sits in EFCC custody. His followers are demanding answers. His critics are sharpening their words. And somewhere between the praise and the backlash lies the complex story of a man who chose to speak up in a society where silence is often safer.