The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has officially stated that social media activist Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), will regain his freedom once he fulfills his bail conditions. This was confirmed by EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale during an interview with BBC News Pidgin on Monday, May 5, 2025.
Oyewale revealed that the arrest of the outspoken influencer was not arbitrary, but followed a string of petitions submitted by individuals alleging misconduct. “We arrested him to respond to a series of allegations raised against him by some petitioners,” he said. He further added, “We will release him if he meets his bail conditions, and we will take the case to court as soon as possible.”
VDM’s arrest, carried out last Friday in Abuja, has since set off a firestorm across social media platforms, with thousands of Nigerians decrying what they believe is a targeted clampdown on free speech and digital activism. Hashtags such as #FreeVDM and #JusticeForVDM have trended non-stop for days.
Public support escalated on Monday when groups of young Nigerians staged peaceful protests in the streets of Abuja, demanding the immediate and unconditional release of the activist. Videos from the demonstrations show placards reading, “You Can’t Silence the Truth” and “VDM Speaks for the Voiceless.”
Critics argue that the EFCC’s failure to provide detailed information about the nature of the petitions has only fueled suspicion. Many believe the agency is being used as a political tool to muzzle dissenters who speak too boldly on national issues, especially against high-profile religious and political figures.
While the EFCC insists it is acting within the confines of the law, civil rights groups and legal professionals are closely monitoring the development, warning that the agency risks damaging its credibility if due process and transparency are not upheld.
For now, all eyes remain on the terms of VDM’s bail and whether his legal team can swiftly meet them. Until then, what began as a routine arrest has snowballed into a high-profile test of Nigeria’s tolerance for dissent in the digital age.
