Martins Vincent Otse, the social media activist better known as VeryDarkMan, is expected to regain his freedom from the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Tuesday, May 6, 2025.
A source within the anti-graft agency, who spoke anonymously, confirmed that the commission has also set a date to formally charge the activist to court. According to the insider, the EFCC plans to arraign VeryDarkMan on Thursday, May 8, 2025.
As reported by Naturenex, the EFCC official disclosed that although VeryDarkMan is still being held, no formal charges have been filed against him yet. His continued detention has fueled criticism, with many accusing the agency of suppressing dissent under the guise of enforcing the law.
VeryDarkMan was arrested in Abuja on Friday, May 2, 2025, sparking outrage on social media and protests in parts of the capital city. On Monday, May 5, 2025, demonstrators gathered in Wuse, Abuja, demanding his immediate release. They carried placards with messages like “Free VDM!” and “End selective justice!” to register their displeasure over what they described as an assault on free speech.
The reason for the activist’s arrest was earlier revealed by an EFCC source. According to the insider, VeryDarkMan was apprehended following multiple complaints from members of the public, who accused him of cyberstalking.
In a related development, human rights lawyer Barrister Deji Adeyanju visited VeryDarkMan at the EFCC facility in Abuja on Monday. After the visit, Adeyanju told reporters that despite several demands, the EFCC had insisted there was no official petition filed against the activist.
“There’s no petition against VeryDarkMan,” Adeyanju reportedly claimed after the meeting.
