VDM regains freedom from EFCC custody, says “I’m broke, yet accused of money laundering”
*Says they wonder over his many charity works, not knowing he used debt for charity More social media influencers refuse to be silent as Mark Angel releases video saying "Our voice cracking in cell"
By KEMI KASUMU
How would they level allegations of money laundering on someone who doesn’t have money? I have done so many charity, they wonder how, they don’t know I use debt for charity,” he said.
Martins Otse, social media influencer popularly known as VeryDarkMan, has been released from the custody of Economy and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), five days after what Deji Adeyanju, lawyer and activist, described as arrest and detention without known reason.
Speaking after the release, VeryDarkMan seen in a viral video seated in a car alongside his lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, said despite that he is broke the EFCC is charging him on a trumped up charges of money laundering.
VeryDarkMan, who spoke directly to the camera, found it difficult to believe as he questioned how such charges of money laundering could be brought against him, a man who is not wealthy.
“How would they level allegations of money laundering on someone who doesn’t have money? I have done so many charity, they wonder how, they don’t know I use debt for charity,” he said.
He concluded saying, “Anyway, we are outside, with my lawyer of course.”
READ ALSO: Atiku vindicated, as Adeyanju says EFCC cannot provide acclaimed petitions against VeryDarkMan
A report by The DEFENDER titled “Atiku vindicated, as Adeyanju says EFCC cannot provide acclaimed petitions against VeryDarkMan”, published on Tuesday May 6, 2025, had it that Deji Adeyanju warned against weaponization of law enforcement to intimidate dissenting voices.
Adeyanju, according to the report, had expressed frustration that despite repeated inquiries, EFCC officials admitted that there was no petition against Otse. He described the arrest as deeply troubling and a clear violation of due process.
READ ALSO: Arrest of VeryDarkMan makes political repression a hallmark of Tinubu’s administration – Atiku
The lawyer and social commentator raised serious concerns over the continued detention of Martins Vincent Otse, widely known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Adeyanju, who had just returned to Nigeria, disclosed that he went straight to the EFCC’s office upon arrival to visit the detained activist but, according to him, the agency was unable to provide any petition or formal complaint justifying the arrest.
The lack of a formal accusation had raised significant questions about the legal basis for Otse’s detention, fueling concerns that the arrest may be politically motivated or intended to silence his vocal criticisms of government institutions.
READ ALSO: Babafemi Ojudu, Adventures of a Guerilla Journalist: A review
The DEFENDER reported that this also further laid credence to the concerns expressed by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar , wherein he said the arrest of VDM is an indication of political repression as a Hallmark of Tinubu’s administration.
VDM, a controversial figure known for his bold and often confrontational commentary on social issues and corruption, had earlier warned of an impending arrest, alleging that unnamed individuals were colluding with the EFCC to silence him.
He claimed that videos and photos had been submitted to the agency to implicate him, although no official charges have been disclosed.
Adeyanju criticised the EFCC’s approach, stressing that law enforcement should not be weaponized to intimidate dissenting voices.
He called for Otse’s immediate release, arguing that arbitrary arrests erode public trust in the justice system and divert attention from real threats to national security.
This came after EFCC’s reported reason of receiving several petitions against but without official statement to clarify the grounds for the arrest. As public scrutiny intensified, civil society groups and legal observers continued to demand transparency and adherence to the rule of law in the handling of Otse’s case.
Our voice is cracking in cell
Aside VeryDarkMan, another social media influencer, who has refused to be silenced by the Tinubu’s government allegedly unpublicized cyber crimes laws is Mark Angel.
In a viral video, Mark Angel took to a Lagos street with his camera pointing to Tinubu 2027 poster giving impression that the voice of Nigeria matters when it does not.
Pointing to one of the posters, he said, ‘Come. Film this thing. Zoom it. Zoom it very well. Video it, video it. Can you see it? “Your voice matters – PBAT, are you seeing it, PBAT Door to Door Movement. Your voice matters”. But our voice is inside cell. Follow me. Our voice dey inside cell. They have out our voice inside cell,’ Mark Angel, who was hailed as he was doing the night filming, said in the video titled ‘Our voice cracking in cell’
Reactions to the Mark Angel protest, one Nigerian under the name TrustGod Lovelyday said: “Mark Angel, didn’t mention the voice that is inside the cell, so what msg is he given out , is he afraid of mentioning Verydarkman’s name even to mention VDM, so that people will know the person he is talking about, So Mark Angel should take down the post, I hate cowards.”
To the Lovelyday comment, many attacks rained including those from Solihu Deen: “Respect to mark angel not all celebrity can made video like this.”
Prince Emmanuel Mbah also replied Lovelyday: “Remember that so many voices are inside cell not just VDM, MNK is there too and many others.”
Another heat on Mark Angel came from Edeh Nuel, who said: “I will stop watching your videos because I have seen you are hypocrites, have ever protest for nnamdi Kanu before, you people can not deceive old eastern people again.”
Ndubueze Peter said: “This video mark angel posted is the best video of the year. This guy is so intelligent and creative. Now we hold them by their words.”
Felix Kings said: “Mark Angel I have loved you less before. But now. You are my G. God bless you. Now is the time to take Nigeria Back. This na opportunity.”
