According to his legal representative, activist-lawyer Deji Adeyanju, VeryDarkMan was ambushed by EFCC operatives right inside GTBank premises.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested social media influencer and activist, Martins Vincent Otse, more commonly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), shortly after he visited a branch of Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank).

The arrest has sparked outrage online and raised questions about the bank’s alleged complicity in what critics describe as a targeted crackdown.According to his legal representative, activist-lawyer Deji Adeyanju, VeryDarkMan was ambushed by EFCC operatives right inside GTBank premises.

In a statement posted online, Adeyanju revealed that VDM was trapped inside the bank’s exit door for over five minutes — a move he claims was a deliberate ploy to enable EFCC officers effect the arrest.

“VDM was locked inside the GTB exit door for over 5 mins to enable EFCC arrest him and his friend,” Adeyanju said. “We will be taking legal actions against GTB for the inhumane treatment meted out to our client. We will issue a public statement soon.”

Adeyanju further disclosed that his legal team, led by Marvin Omorogbe, had already located the detained activist and were working to secure his release.

“Our lawyers led by the Head of our firm @Marvin\_Omorogbe just met VDM’s friend who was arrested together with him in EFCC custody. VDM refused to come out of the cell; that he won’t see anyone,” Adeyanju said.“We have located VDM and [are] working on getting him out. Our lawyers are now with him,” he added.

The exact charges or reasons for the arrest remain unclear at the time of filing this report, but this marks yet another chapter in what observers see as a pattern of silencing dissenting voices using security and anti-corruption agencies.

VeryDarkMan, known for his bold commentaries and frequent criticism of the Nigerian elite, has long been a thorn in the side of powerful figures. His arrest underscores growing concerns over the weaponisation of state institutions to stifle free speech.