NewStats: 3,262,233 , 8,176,538 topics. Date: Sunday, 01 June 2025 at 01:18 PM 2k4y1u

Social media influencer Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, has been arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over allegations of cyberstalking, Vanguard has learnt.

A source within the EFCC, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed the arrest on Sunday, stating:

“We picked him up based on several complaints that he used his social media platforms to harass, insult, and intimidate individuals — actions that may contravene the Cybercrimes Act of 2015.”

The source declined to disclose the identities of the complainants or further details regarding the nature of the complaints.

Recall that VDM’s outspoken commentary on issues has led to several run-ins with the law.

In May 2024, he was arraigned at the Federal High Court in Abuja on five counts of cyberstalking. The charges stemmed from alleged online harassment of the Nigeria Police Force and Nollywood actresses Iyabo Ojo and Tonto Dikeh.

He pleaded not guilty and was remanded in custody until his bail hearing.

Later that year, in November 2024, he faced fresh charges of impersonation before an Abuja Chief Magistrate Court.

Prosecutors accused him of unlawfully dressing as a police officer and presenting himself as one. He again pleaded not guilty and was granted bail in the sum of ₦2 million.

In September 2024, VDM was sued for ₦1 billion by popular crossdresser Idris Okuneye, known as Bobrisky, for defamation.

The suit followed the circulation of a voice recording by VDM alleging that Bobrisky bribed EFCC officials to quash money laundering charges. Bobrisky denied the claim, alleging the recording was generated using AI technology.

By April 2025, legal troubles deepened with a court order for his arrest over alleged defamatory remarks made against gospel singer Mercy Chinwo. The court directed him to delete the content and publicly apologise.

Meanwhile, Deji Adeyanju, legal counsel to VeryDarkMan, also spoke with Vanguard on Sunday from abroad, confirming his intention to return to Abuja to work on his client’s release following VDM’s recent arrest after he made a public complaint at a GTBank branch in Abuja regarding unauthorised deductions from his mother’s .

“I’m currently not in Nigeria, but I’ll be back in Abuja tomorrow (Monday) afternoon. By 4 p.m., we’ll be at the EFCC to secure his bail,” Adeyanju said.

He added that the Commission had yet to formally disclose the specific offences alleged against his client.

Meanwhile, human rights activist Omoyele Sowore condemned the arrest, describing it as an attempt to silence VeryDarkMan for exposing alleged corruption within the EFCC.

“It has become evident that the EFCC unlawfully arrested and detained Martins Vincent Otse, also known as VDM, in a bid to silence him after he accused the agency and its leadership of corruption and misconduct.

“The Commission does not possess the legal mandate to prosecute individuals for criminal defamation, libel, or cybercrime; these are issues typically handled through civil litigation. Therefore, the EFCC must release VDM without delay,” Sowore said.

Vanguard gathered that the EFCC is preparing to file formal charges against VeryDarkMan, potentially as early as Monday.

Efforts to reach EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale for comment were unsuccessful, as his phone lines remained unreachable.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.vanguardngr.com/2025/05/why-verydarkman-was-arrested-by-efcc-sources/amp/

This is purely junk news by Vanguard.. Arrested for cyber stalking by EFCC? Is Cyber stalking the duty of EFCC?

Hahaha, I still when NPF created a website for cyber stalking and anything related to online matter for people to report those who might have been attacking others unnecessarily on social media.

I reported someone and they gave me the link for proper reporting. Let me even check my email self

Wow this man has a long history of poking his nose into other people's business and making noise while posing to show off his muscles.

My prediction is that when our Very Daft Man emerges from EFCC custody, he will have discovered the importance of humility and minding one's own business.

Jakumo:
Wow this man has a long history of poking his nose into other people's business and making noise while posing to show off his muscles.

My prediction is that when our Very Daft Man emerges from EFCC custody, he will have discovered the importance of humility and minding one's own business.

When people was advising him to slow down, his ers thought we were saying nonsense. The guy is new online, he doesn't even know how social media works..

In Africa, only a foolish person fight for the masses

Those who supposed to have come out to help him out, he has attacked almost all of them all in the name of being bold. Hahahaha

Since when did EFCC become in charge of cyber stalking?

Stop making assumptions and allow the EFCC to release an official statement on the matter.

I don't blame you though. I blame an irresponsible EFCC for picking him up and keeping him in their custody for more than 2 days (against the penal law) without a press statement, thereby giving room for rumour mongers to cash in on the situation.

Although, I'm a strong er of this commission, they are usually not serious with some of their prosecutions. It is not about just picking people up. This on and off with VDM is becoming silly.

helinues:


When people was advising him to slow down, his ers thought we were saying nonsense. The guy is new online, he doesn't even know how social media works..

In Africa, only a foolish person fight for the masses

Those who supposed to have come out to help him out, he has attacked almost all of them all in the name of being bold. Hahahaha

So very true about the folly of fighting for the common man, because when push comes to shove, the common man will wisely hide in fear.

EFCC is uselesz to Nigerians, while VDM is very useful to Nigerians. I can tell you many good things VDM has done for Nigerians, but can you tell me one good thing EFCC have done for Nigerians. The only thing they do is to harass and intimidate innocent citizens

Deji Adeyanju is correct.

EFCC has no right to arrest VDM over cybercrimes. It isn't their jurisdiction.

He can only be arrested by the security outfit if he committed a financial crime.

Perhaps VDM should sue them over this arrest.

“We picked him up based on several complaints that he used his social media platforms to harass, insult, and intimidate individuals — actions that may contravene the Cybercrimes Act of 2015.”


If this is the position of the EFCC then I just pity them because of the massive lawsuit they're going to face when that clown VDM gets released

Free VDM

The New EFCC Job is arresting of people doing Cyberbullying. Nigeria we Hail Thee! They are just making VDBM more popular in Nigeria and the world at Large.

The EFCC is now a political tool enforcing digital gag orders, not fighting economic crimes.

Nigeria’s Cyber crime Act is being twisted to criminalize free speech.

The president should sack the EFCC chairman, Olukoyede, as he doesnt know the difference between financial crimes and Cyber stalking.

This is gross over reach of power. This is the same man that could not arrest Yahya Bello who stole over 80 billion Naira.

All these arrests will make it worse for your istration, we are in a digital era. The same way everyone is praising Ibrahim Traore.

Mr President, Nigerians will vilify you all over the world. Some influencers have 10 million followers. It takes less than 24 hours to tarnish the image of your government. In Abacha era, we had to wait for the morning newspaper. Now its in real time.

Damage control... GTB doing everything to redeem their already damaged brand. Too little too late.

Of course nah

Lol which story we go follow like this...


Everything still looks like speculations until we see EFCC release a press or release Placard the only way we av always known Dem to du....


Put placard on people wey Dem Neva convict....

When did cyberstalking become a financial crime?

Cyberstalking or defamation is a civil offense and not criminal.

Whoever errs is to be sued and not remanded in jail.

The EFCC is clearly off its rocker.

This is what happens when you staff an organization top-to-bottom with gworo-chewing, semi-illiterate Northerners who don't know their JD or scope of work.

What a load of crap!

So aside handling economic and financial Crimes, cyber stalking is also their job?

What a joke!

One thing is for sure, this coming week is going to be interesting.

And that warranted them kidnapping him with a black cloth over his head.

Something isn't adding up.

These guys should have issued at press conference by now.

Celestialsword:


https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.vanguardngr.com/2025/05/why-verydarkman-was-arrested-by-efcc-sources/amp/

They did not really said anything...just beating about the bush

Story !!

GTBank na tomorrow we go settle

helinues:
This is purely junk news by Vanguard.. Arrested for cyber stalking by EFCC? Is Cyber stalking the duty of EFCC?

Hahaha, I still when NPF created a website for cyber stalking and anything related to online matter for people to report those who might have been attacking others unnecessarily on social media.

I reported someone and they gave me the link for proper reporting. Let me even check my email self

Go EFCC office and tell them

Up GTB. Keep soaring. No way a litany of ha.ters can pull you. I'm in fact, fixing my GTB this week. For all the people you employ; for all the taxes you pay to help the country go forward; for all the financial opportunities you create...

Also, I hope for respite for VDM. I'm willing to indeed go all out in protest for him, if he's deemed right, cos dude has been largely liberating many folks, though he handful times he goofs too. But hey, who never bleeps up, hands in the air.

I don't really get this.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission arrested a citizen for Cyberstalking?

How is that an economic or financial crime? I won't blame the meddlesome interloper. The blame falls squarely on the istration under which such rascality has found deeper roots.

Nawa o

Please don't comment on this topic if you have not read the cyber crime act.... don't come and fool yourself all in the name of ratel.

See how useless EFCC is? Where in their mandate is cyber stalking listed as their purview?

I don't know which story to follow again

Very Dark Man may have very dark past