EFCC recants BBC’s report on reason for arrest of VeryDarkMan, others

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has purportedly explained the reason behind the arrest of popular social media activist and rights advocate, Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM).

Speaking to BBC News Pidgin, EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale said the arrest followed multiple petitions filed by individuals who lodged complaints against the activist.

“We arrested him to respond to a series of allegations raised against him by some petitioners,” Oyewale stated according to the report.

Responding to a question about a possible connection to a new generation bank, the EFCC spokesperson clarified that the complaints came from different individuals.

But on the contrary, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has denied the report by BBC News Pidgin regarding the reason for the arrest of controversial social media activist, Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM).

BBC News Pidgin had earlier reported that the anti-graft agency, through its spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, confirmed the arrest of VeryDarkMan over multiple petitions against him on Monday.

They also quoted the EFCC spokesman Oyewale as saying that the critic would be released “when he meets the bail conditions,” and that he was to be arraigned soon.

But, the EFCC has taken to its social media handles on Monday evening to counter the BBC News Pidgin report, describing it as “fake news”.

The anti-graft agency did not state further details as it just posted the screenshot of the BBC News Pidgin report and from one other person and dub it ‘fake news’.

Recall VeryDarkMan was apprehended on Thursday, May 2, 2025, shortly after visiting a GTBank branch in Area 3, Garki, Abuja.

The arrest has drawn public criticism and sparked outrage on social media, with allegations that the bank collaborated with EFCC operatives to effec the arrest.

According to his lawyer, activist Deji Adeyanju, VDM was held inside the bank’s security exit door for several minutes, allegedly to delay him until EFCC operatives arrived.

“VDM was locked inside the GTB exit door for over five minutes to enable EFCC to arrest him and his friend.

“We will take legal action against GTB for this treatment.”

However, the new generation bank has denied any involvement, releasing CCTV footage to prove that the arrest did not take place within their premises.

The bank called for a thorough and transparent investigation to clarify the circumstances surrounding the arrest.

In an outpouring of support for VDM, protesters gathered outside the new generation bank’s headquarters in Abuja, chanting and holding placards demanding his unconditional release.