The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has confirmed the arrest of social media activist Martins Vincent Otse, widely known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), in response to multiple petitions filed against him.

According to Naija News, VDM was detained on Friday, May 2, 2025, after visiting a GTBank branch with his mother to lodge a complaint about a disputed deduction from her account.

EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale, speaking to BBC News Pidgin on Monday, May 5, stated that VDM’s arrest followed several complaints from different individuals. He clarified that the case is not solely linked to Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB) but involves various petitioners, whom the agency is duty-bound to protect.

Oyewale added that VDM will be released once he meets his bail conditions and will be formally charged in court. “We are law-abiding,” he said, noting that legal proceedings will follow due process.

Meanwhile, Nigerian artists Davido and Skales have publicly supported VDM and called for his release. Davido praised the widespread support for VDM as a sign of youth solidarity and urged continued advocacy. On his 𝕏 account, he wrote, “The support I’m seeing for VDM everywhere is encouraging… FREE MY GUY.”

Skales also encouraged Nigerian youths to remain vigilant and defend their rights, going further to call for a boycott of GTBank in protest.