Popular online activist and culture critic VeryDarkMan (whose real name is Martins Vincent Otse) is back in the headlines and not in a good way. On May 2, 2025, it was reported that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) picked him up at a GTBank branch in Abuja. According to EFCC sources, this wasn’t a random move. The arrest was linked to a cyberstalking complaint and suspicious activity involving his mother’s bank account. Despite the online noise, the EFCC made it clear: this wasn’t about multiple petitions or social media drama it stemmed from a specific, credible allegation.
But if this feels like déjà vu, it’s because Otse has had legal issues recently. Just a couple of months back, in March, an Abuja Magistrate Court issued a bench warrant for his arrest after he skipped a court date. That case? A criminal defamation suit brought by gospel singer Mercy Chinwo. She claims he falsely dragged her into a messy financial situation, and her legal team has receipts (literally). Despite Otse’s lawyers arguing against the warrant, the court ordered that he be brought in by force if necessary.
In response, VeryDarkMan says this is bigger than him. He believes corrupt elites are using the legal system to shut him up and punish him for speaking truth to power. He also insists he hasn’t missed any court dates for his other cases, calling this a clear case of targeted harassment.
Many are surprised that his arrest has sparked major backlash online. Former presidential candidate Peter Obi didn’t hold back, calling the move “an abduction” and warning that this kind of state behavior is how democracies crumble. He made a strong case for protecting free speech, especially when it challenges the status quo.
Then came the viral moment: a GTBank employee allegedly resigned on the spot in protest of Otse’s arrest happening right inside their workplace. That clip set social media on fire, with debates erupting around corporate ethics, civil courage, and the role of regular people in standing up to state overreach.
In my opinion, this isn’t just about VeryDarkMan the controversial influencer, it’s larger than him. It’s about the bigger picture and his case is a test of how Nigeria deals with online or should I say digital activism, opposition, and fair treatment, especially in a time when young people’s voices are louder and more risky than before.
As things happen, it’s clear that there’s a struggle between Nigeria’s old leaders and a new generation that refuses to stay silent.
