Martins Vincent Otse, widely known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), a prominent Nigerian social media activist, has been released from the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) after five days of detention.
VDM was arrested last Friday following multiple petitions alleging financial crimes. The EFCC stated that he had ignored several invitations, leading to his arrest. During his detention, he was interrogated over social media posts accusing the EFCC of corruption. The EFCC denied that his arrest was related to these criticisms.
His release was confirmed by human rights activist Omoyele Sowore, who spoke to VDM by phone. Sowore announced on social media that VDM had been released to his lawyer, Deji Adeyanju.
The arrest sparked nationwide outrage, with hashtags like #FreeVeryDarkMan trending on social media platforms. Supporters criticized the manner of his arrest and called for his immediate release.
VDM, known for his outspoken commentary on societal issues, has previously faced legal challenges, including arrests on allegations of cyberbullying and defamation. His recent detention adds to a series of controversies surrounding his activism.