The ongoing protest at Guaranty Trust Bank’s headquarters in Abuja highlights rising public concern over the arrest of Martins Otse, known as VeryDarkMan (VDM). Demonstrators, many of whom view him as a voice for the marginalized, accuse authorities of political suppression and are pressing for his immediate release.
VDM’s arrest by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), allegedly for cyberstalking, has ignited controversy, especially following claims by his lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, that he was seized within GTBank premises. The bank has publicly denied any involvement, releasing CCTV footage to support its stance, though the actual arrest occurred just outside the coverage area.
This incident adds to VDM’s growing list of legal troubles. Since May 2024, he has faced:
- Cyberstalking charges involving public figures and institutions
- Impersonation allegations, for which he was previously granted bail
Public outcry centers on freedom of expression and the possible misuse of state power to silence dissent. Many of VDM’s supporters argue that his activism, though confrontational, doesn’t warrant criminal charges.