To demand the release of social media personality Martins Otse, also known as VeryDarkMan, protesters in Abuja have overrun Guaranty Trust Bank’s headquarters.
With signs that read, “Activism is not a sin,” “VDM is the masses’ liberator,” and “VDM has committed no offence,” the protesters, who assembled in significant numbers on Monday, yelled “#FreeVDM.”
Remember how the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission recently arrested VeryDarkMan on charges of cyberstalking?
Online indignation over the arrest has prompted inquiries about the bank’s possible involvement in what detractors call a targeted crackdown.
His attorney, activist-lawyer Deji Adeyanju, claims that EFCC agents ambushed VeryDarkMan on the GTBank property.
The bank denied the allegation, released CCTV footage, and said the social media influencer was not detected on the bank’s property. It also called for more research to be done.
In the video, VDM is seen leaving the banking hall and heading towards the car park moments before his arrest.
However, the footage does not capture the actual arrest, most likely because the security cameras did not cover that specific area outside the bank.
Recall that 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 in November 2024, he faced fresh charges of impersonation before an Abuja Chief Magistrate’s 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.
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