Social media influencer Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, has been taken into custody by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged involvement in cyberstalking, Vanguard has learned.
According to a source within the EFCC who requested anonymity, the arrest was prompted by several petitions accusing Otse of using his social media platforms to harass, intimidate, and insult individuals actions reportedly in breach of Nigeria’s Cybercrimes Act of 2015.
“The arrest followed a series of complaints alleging he used his platforms to target people online,” the source said. However, details of the allegations and the identities of the petitioners remain undisclosed.
Otse’s legal counsel, Deji Adeyanju, confirmed the arrest while speaking from abroad. He stated that he would return to Abuja by Monday to seek his client’s release.
“I’ll be at the EFCC office by 4 p.m. on Monday to secure bail for VeryDarkMan,” Adeyanju told Vanguard, noting that the EFCC had yet to formally specify the charges.
Reacting to the development, human rights advocate Omoyele Sowore condemned the arrest, describing it as an attempt to silence Otse following his recent criticism of the EFCC.
“Martins Vincent Otse’s detention is illegal and a tactic to suppress his whistleblowing on corruption within the EFCC,” Sowore said.
He added that issues such as cyberstalking or defamation fall outside the EFCC’s jurisdiction and should be handled through civil court proceedings.
Our correspondent also gathered that formal charges against VeryDarkMan may be filed as early as Monday.
Attempts to reach EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale for comment were unsuccessful, as calls to his phone went unanswered.
Vanguard
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