The arrest of popular Nigerian social media activist Martins Otse, widely known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), has stirred public outcry, with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) confirming he will be released once he meets bail conditions.
EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale, speaking to BBC News Pidgin on Monday, said Otse was arrested in response to multiple petitions accusing him of misconduct.
“We arrested him to respond to a series of allegations raised against him by some petitioners,” he explained. Oyewale added that the case would be charged to court soon.
When asked whether Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank) was involved in the petition, Oyewale declined to name any parties, citing the commission’s responsibility to protect complainants’ identities.
VDM’s arrest in Abuja by EFCC operatives has drawn criticism online, with many accusing the agency of targeting dissenting voices.
His lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, alleged that the arrest happened inside a GTBank branch, fueling public suspicion of the bank’s involvement. GTBank has denied this, releasing CCTV footage and stating that the arrest did not take place on its property. The bank called for a fair and transparent investigation.
On Monday, protesters gathered outside GTBank headquarters in Abuja, holding placards and demanding the unconditional release of the activist.