Nigerian activist and social media influencer Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), has recently made headlines following a controversial post that has sparked widespread debate and legal action.
📱 The Controversial Post
On September 24, 2024, VeryDarkMan shared a video on his Instagram account that included an audio recording involving Nigerian cross-dresser Bobrisky. In the recording, Bobrisky allegedly claimed to have paid N15 million to officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to secure a favorable outcome in a money laundering case. VDM’s post linked this claim to human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) and his son, musician Folarin Falana (Falz), suggesting their involvement in perverting justice. The post quickly went viral, attracting significant attention on social media.
⚖️ Legal Repercussions
The Falanas responded by filing a N1 billion defamation lawsuit against VeryDarkMan. They alleged that the video contained defamatory remarks that damaged their reputations. In October 2024, a Lagos State High Court ordered VDM to remove the defamatory posts and refrain from making similar statements in the future. Despite this, VDM did not comply, leading to further legal actions.
In April 2025, the court dismissed VDM’s preliminary objections and imposed a N200,000 fine on him. The court also directed him to file his defense to the defamation claims. This ruling cleared the way for the substantive case to proceed.
🚔 Arrest and Detention
On May 2, 2025, VeryDarkMan was arrested by the EFCC in Abuja. Reports indicated that the arrest was related to a complaint he had filed at a Guarantee Trust Bank branch concerning alleged unauthorized deductions from his mother’s account. The arrest was carried out by masked individuals, whose identities were not immediately confirmed, leading to speculation about whether they were EFCC or Department of State Services (DSS) operatives. VDM was detained for five days before being released on administrative bail on May 7, 2025.
🌐 Public Reaction
The arrest of VeryDarkMan has elicited a range of reactions from the public and public figures. While some, like comedian Deeone, have supported the EFCC’s actions, others, including musician Davido, activist Seun Kuti, and blogger Tunde Ednut, have condemned the arrest, viewing it as an attempt to silence dissenting voices. The hashtag #FreeVDM trended on social media as supporters rallied behind him.
📸 Visuals and Further Reading
For more insights into VeryDarkMan’s recent activities and the ongoing legal proceedings, you can watch the following video:
This video provides an overview of the legal challenges faced by VeryDarkMan and the implications for freedom of expression in Nigeria
