Popular human rights activist and social media influencer, Martins Vincent Otse—widely known as VeryDarkMan (VDM)—has been released from the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
His solicitor, Deji Adeyanju, confirmed the release during a telephone conversation.
VDM was apprehended by operatives of the anti-corruption agency in Abuja on Friday.
His arrest and subsequent detention ignited widespread backlash on social media, with numerous public figures—including the 2023 presidential candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar, and the Labour Party, Peter Obi, as well as acclaimed singer Davido—calling for his immediate release.
On Monday, EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale confirmed the agency had carried out the arrest and disclosed the reasons behind it.
“We arrested him (VDM) in response to a number of allegations made by petitioners. He will be released once he fulfils the bail conditions, and we intend to pursue the matter in court promptly,” Oyewale stated.
He also emphasised the Commission’s obligation to safeguard the identities and interests of those who submitted the complaints.
Meanwhile, a group of young protesters gathered in central Abuja on Monday morning, carrying placards and denouncing VDM’s detention as unlawful.