Nigerian social media influencer Martins Vincent Otse, widely known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), has been released from the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). His lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, confirmed the release on Wednesday in Abuja, following five days of detention that sparked protests and reignited discussions about free speech in Nigeria.

VDM’s arrest took place on May 2, 2025, at a GTBank branch in Abuja. He was reportedly there to address unauthorized deductions from his mother’s bank account. Initially, it was reported that he was arrested inside the bank, but CCTV footage later revealed he was detained in the car park.

In an Instagram post, Adeyanju shared the details of the release. “VDM has been released. I undertook to produce him whenever he is required by the Commission or the court. I must say that the EFCC, particularly the chairman, Ola Olukoyede, was cooperative throughout this process, and for that, I am grateful,” he said.

Following the arrest, protests erupted in Abuja, with demonstrators chanting “Free VDM” and “Activism is not a crime.” Many online supporters saw VDM’s detention as an attempt to silence him, accusing the government of trying to stifle free speech. Protesters also called out GTBank, alleging the bank played a part in his arrest—an accusation the bank has denied.

VDM has faced several legal issues before. In 2024, he was charged with cyberstalking and impersonation. He also faces defamation cases, including a ₦1 billion lawsuit filed by Bobrisky and a court order linked to remarks about gospel singer Mercy Chinwo.

Despite these challenges, VDM remains a prominent figure in Nigeria’s online activism space. His recent detention has sparked further debates about the limits of free speech and the rights of digital activists in the country.

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