After what felt like an episode from Law & Order: Nigerian Influencer Unit, Martins Vincent Otse, aka VeryDarkMan (VDM), has finally walked free from EFCC detention—and not by tunneling out or staging a jailbreak, but thanks to some good old-fashioned legal paperwork.
His lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, confirmed the dramatic (but paperwork-heavy) climax to TheVoice Nigeria on Wednesday, saying, “VDM has been released. I undertook to produce him whenever he is required by the Commission or the court.” Translation: VDM is out on ‘come-when-we-call’ terms.
Adeyanju also gave a tip of the wig to EFCC chairman Ola Olukoyede, saying he was “cooperative throughout.” Looks like we might not have to send a Netflix crew to dramatize this one—everyone was oddly civil.
Let’s rewind the plot: VDM was nabbed on May 2, 2025, at a GTBank branch in Abuja, where he was playing hero over some suspicious deductions from his mother’s account. A minor ruckus ensued.
According to his legal team, EFCC operatives popped out like surprise party guests and whisked him away—first allegedly at the exit door, then proven via CCTV to be in the car park. Either way, the man never even made it to the ATM.
This sparked an uproar louder than a Lagos traffic jam. Protesters stormed the streets of Abuja chanting “Free VDM!” and “Activism is not a crime!”—a mantra that trended faster than a celebrity breakup. Twitter (sorry, X) turned into a full-blown courtroom, with public opinion holding its own trial.
GTBank caught some stray heat too, with protestors accusing them of playing middleman in the arrest. The bank, likely clutching its legal department, has denied any such partnership with the EFCC.
VDM’s résumé of legal adventures is already quite the read. Just last year, he squared off with the Nigeria Police Force over cyberstalking and impersonation charges. Add a ₦1 billion defamation lawsuit from Bobrisky and a court slap on the wrist over gospel singer Mercy Chinwo, and you’ve got the full package: activist, influencer, and courtroom regular.
The EFCC’s spokesperson Dele Oyewale had earlier played the calm uncle in the room, assuring everyone that VDM would be released once bail conditions were met. And true to his word, VDM is now a free man—pending any future plot twists.
As of Wednesday evening, no official charges had been filed. So, while the activist is out, questions remain hanging in the air like a suspenseful season finale: Was this a lawful detention or just a PR disaster in disguise?
Either way, VDM’s saga proves that in Nigeria, activism comes with drama, hashtags, and a very expensive lawyer.
What do you think—sequel or spinoff incoming?
