EFCC detains VeryDarkMan, associate after GTB visit; lawyers allege assault, rights violation

• VeryDarkMan and associate Steven Avuara were allegedly arrested by EFCC after inquiries at a GTBANK branch in Abuja 
• Eyewitness accounts revealed alleged police misconduct during the arrest
• Legal team called for respect of constitutional rights amidst ongoing detention

In a shocking development, popular social media critic Vincent Martins Otse, widely known as VeryDarkMan, and his associate Steven Avuara were reportedly arrested by officers of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on May 2, 2025. 

The incident occurred immediately after they exited Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB) Ltd's premises in Garki, Area 3, Abuja. 

A statement released by Deji Adeyanju, the legal representative for VeryDarkMan, detailed the events surrounding the arrest. 

The statement, titled “PRELIMINARY STATEMENT ON THE ARREST OF MR. MARTINS VINCENT OTSE (AKA VERY DARK BLACK MAN) AND MR. STEVEN AVUARA (AKA C-PACK) BY OFFICERS OF THE ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL CRIMES COMMISSION," was signed by Zainab M. Otega.

The statement read, 

"Earlier today, May 2, 2025, our attention was drawn to the fact that our clients, Mr. Martins Vincent Otse (AKA Very Dark Black Man) and Mr. Steven Avuara (AKA C-PACK), were arrested by officers of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)," 

Adeyanju’s team swiftly arrived at the EFCC Headquarters to confirm the detention. "Upon receipt of the information, our Founding Partner, Marvin Omorogbe, Esq, and our Associate, Steven Eze, Esq, promptly proceeded to the EFCC Headquarters, Abuja, where they confirmed that our clients were being detained by officers attached to the Commission's Special Duty Committee (SDC) Unit 4."

Further inquiries revealed that the two were apprehended shortly after making inquiries about frequent deductions from VeryDarkMan's mother, Mrs. Blessing Otse's bank account. 

"From our interactive session with Mr. Avuara, we were able to gather that Mr. Martins Otse, his mother, Mrs. Blessing Otse, and Mr. Avuara visited GTB Garki, Area 3, Abuja, to make inquiries about the incessant deductions from Mrs. Otse's bank account," the statement explained. 

The situation escalated dramatically when the men were reportedly locked in the bank’s security door for over five minutes before being confronted outside the premises. 

"Shortly thereafter, they were accosted at gunpoint a few metres outside the bank's premises, beaten and blindfolded by some armed men wearing black uniforms," the statement detailed.

According to Avuara, VeryDarkMan refrained from speaking to authorities due to the trauma inflicted during the arrest. 

"Mr. Martins Otse refused to speak with anybody presumably because of the psychological and physical trauma he experienced in the hands of the arresting officers, who labelled them as 'bandits' and threatened to shoot them in the presence of Mrs. Otse."

After being transferred to EFCC’s headquarters, the arresting officers were uncooperative regarding the specific allegations.

"We were further informed by Mr. Avuara that they were transported to the EFCC's headquarters at Jabi, Abuja. 

“At the time of this statement, we are unable to confirm the whereabouts of Mrs. Otse," the legal statement noted.

Despite repeated inquiries, the EFCC officers only presented an arrest warrant allegedly issued by a magistrate regarding cyberstalking, while failing to specify accusations against Avuara. 

In a bid to safeguard Mr. Avuara's rights, Adeyanju's legal team exited the interrogation room.

"In order not to legitimise the clear breach of Mr. Avuara's constitutional right to be informed of the allegations against him, our colleagues exited the interrogation room and the EFCC Headquarters," the statement concluded. 

As of press time, the EFCC has not released an official statement about VeryDarkMan's arrest, and concerns grow over his well-being as reactions pour in from netizens across social media platforms.

Reactions trail Deji Adeyanju’s official statement on VDM's arrest 

@ugo_himself wrote: “We are not even sure If vdm is alive or not. May God protect him there because we don't know what they must be doing to him right now. Kokopee said something about poison in one of his video before he stopped 

Sha they should bring him out in that custody in one piece.”

@Johnspnwick300 wrote: “ol they are not stupid 

Too popular to be k!iled they are trying to silence him since he has been hitting harshly on the efcc and their alleged corrupt practices vdm will be free in due time 

Vdm must prevail!!!.”

@MezieAbia wrote: “Which law empowered the EFCC to arrest citizens over issues bothering on cyberstalking?

When did EFCC’s scope of job go beyond economic and financial crimes to now cyberstalking cases? 

Nigeria has been turned into a lawless country and a Banana Republic under Tinubu’s watch. May Tinubu never happen to Nigeria ever again.”

@rich4ever01 wrote; “We can’t blame efcc alone, we have to blame the judge who issue the warrant too. Bcos how do you issue warrants for efcc to arrest on cyber stalking? Many things has to be corrected in Nigeria.” 

@Rockyrolex7 wrote: “This is a well planned deal between the EFCC and the bank that’s why the illegally debited his mom because the know he will come out for it and the will now cramp him and there plans works as the planned it and now the bank has lost there respect and there customers as well.”

@BIG1ZAY wrote: “This your statement is contradicting, "immediately after they exited the bank promises", and "few meters outside the bank premises.”

@Mr_porsche wrote: “Me I don first transfert all my money from @gtbank to my other account. I will close the account down when I enter naija next week. They’re allegedly involved in VDM illegal arrest. I advise all of you to do the same. VDM is a fighter and i believe he will still get out of this.”

@Patoworld01 wrote: “Cyberstalking — Something that should fall under the civil court jurisdiction is now being handled by @officialEFCC

Meanwhile, real cybercriminals EFCC continue to scam and tarnish the image of Nigerian youth online every day.

EFCC officers roam the streets, arresting young.”

@Chineduokoli wrote: “Shouldn’t for once in a lifetime, a president should call an agency and let them follow the law. Nigeria can’t be better if these incidents continue to occur.”

VeryDarkMan arrested again? Police deny, Iyabo Ojo, Ka3na, others react

Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that VeryDarkMan was allegedly arrested by the police for cybercrime and defamation

However, the FCT Police denied the arrest of VDM and claimed he was only invited for questioning. 

Iyabo Ojo, Ka3na and others reacted to the alleged arrest.