Popular Nigerian activist and social media critic, Vincent Martins Otse, widely known as VeryDarkMan, is still in EFCC custody following his arrest on Friday, May 1 — a development that has triggered widespread concern online. The arrest occurred shortly after he posted a viral video where he and his mother visited a bank to protest a mysterious deduction from her salary account, allegedly linked to a loan she never took.
On Saturday, May 2, his brother, Mark, alongside his friend and entertainer Kokopee, visited the EFCC headquarters in Abuja in an attempt to check on him and provide food and water. However, the duo were reportedly denied access. According to Mark, EFCC officials cited a “standing order” that prohibits any visitors from seeing or delivering food to the detainee. He added that despite not being allowed to see VeryDarkMan, officials assured them that he was “being well taken care of.”
The continued detention and lack of access to his family has sparked outrage among fans and supporters on social media, many of whom are demanding transparency and his immediate release. The case has also reignited discussions about freedom of expression and alleged intimidation of outspoken voices in Nigeria.
In his words:
“They said there’s a standing order that nobody should see VDM today, even to give him food, that they would feed him.”
See video below: