VeryDarkMan Arrested by EFCC in Abuja At GTBank
Wafric News | May 4, 2025
Abuja, Nigeria – Controversial Nigerian social commentator Martins “VeryDarkMan” Otse has been arrested and detained by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Abuja — just days after he publicly accused GTBank of suspicious debits from his mother’s account.
The outspoken critic, known for his bold takes on social and political issues, was reportedly apprehended on Friday, May 2, outside a GTBank branch in Garki, Area 3, shortly after lodging a complaint about unauthorized transactions.
His legal representative, Deji Adeyanju, initially claimed on social media platform X that VeryDarkMan was arrested by the police inside the bank. However, he later clarified that the activist and his friend Steven Avuara were accosted at gunpoint just outside the premises by men in black uniforms, blindfolded, and then handed over to EFCC operatives.
“Our clients were arrested immediately after exiting the bank premises. They were beaten, blindfolded, and transported to the EFCC’s Jabi headquarters,” Adeyanju said in a formal statement.
According to Adeyanju, the arrest was carried out by officials from the EFCC’s Special Duty Committee (SDC), Unit 4, without clear disclosure of the allegations against his client. Although the legal team was presented with an arrest warrant, they were denied access to Otse, with EFCC operatives claiming he declined to see visitors.
Adding to the confusion, the whereabouts of Mrs. Otse, believed to be Victor’s mother, remained unknown at the time of the report.
When contacted, EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale neither confirmed nor denied the arrest, stating only that “there are petitions against him,” and investigations are ongoing.
“We don’t discuss operational matters in public. Petitions are a discreet issue,” Oyewale told Peoples Gazette. “Whether he is arrested or not, I’m not confirming that.”
The incident follows VeryDarkMan’s recent online call-out of GTBank, accusing the bank of making unexplained deductions from his mother’s account.
“We have requested her bank statements… So far, this year alone, there have been over seven unexplained debits for loan repayments,” Otse had tweeted. “GTBank staff are cooperating — hopefully we’ll get answers.”
The timing of the arrest — so close to his allegations against GTBank — has stirred public speculation, with supporters raising concerns over a possible abuse of state power to silence a dissenting voice.
As of now, the EFCC has not officially released charges or provided further details.
By WafricNews Desk.
By WafricNews Desk.
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