Legal counsel to detained social media activist Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), has expressed deep frustration over the numerous obstacles encountered while attempting to secure bail for his client. The lawyer, whose identity remains undisclosed, spoke to journalists on Tuesday, May 7, 2025, stating that the process has been anything but straightforward.
According to the lawyer, despite the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) announcing that VDM would be released upon meeting his bail conditions, the reality on the ground suggests a different narrative. “We have fulfilled the requirements stated, yet administrative bottlenecks and last-minute technicalities are being used to stall his release,” he said.
The delay has sparked renewed backlash online, with the hashtags #FreeVDM and #JusticeForVDM regaining momentum as celebrities, activists, and fans continue to demand transparency and accountability from the EFCC. Many have accused the agency of using vague legal language and procedural delays to intimidate dissenting voices.
VeryDarkMan was arrested on Friday, May 2, in Abuja after visiting a GTBank branch with his mother to lodge a complaint over alleged unauthorized deductions. While the EFCC later clarified that the arrest followed multiple petitions against him for alleged misconduct, it has not yet disclosed the specific charges or identities of the petitioners.
The lawyer also criticized what he described as a “coordinated effort to suppress free speech,” alleging that the system is being manipulated to send a message to other vocal critics. “We are witnessing the weaponization of bureaucracy,” he noted, warning that prolonged detention without formal charge could violate VDM’s constitutional rights.
As pressure mounts on the EFCC to either release the activist or charge him formally, legal experts and rights groups are urging the judiciary to monitor the case closely. Meanwhile, peaceful protests have continued in Abuja and across social media, with many Nigerians calling the situation a test of the nation’s commitment to due process.
Unless resolved swiftly, the delay in securing bail for VeryDarkMan risks escalating public anger, with critics already calling the process a “legal ambush” rather than lawful detention.
