Martins Vincent Otse, widely known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), the outspoken Nigerian social media influencer and activist, was arrested on May 2, 2025, at a Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank) branch in Area 3, Abuja. The detention followed his public allegations of unauthorized debits from his mother’s bank account. Confirmed by his lawyer Deji Adeyanju, the incident has sparked widespread reactions online, with supporters and critics weighing in on VDM’s latest clash with authorities.
The trouble began when VDM’s younger sister noticed unexplained deductions from their mother’s GTBank account. Taking to Instagram, VDM shared screenshots of over seven transactions in 2025, alleging the bank had debited funds for loans and charges his mother never authorized. “How does my mum’s account have loans she didn’t take?” he questioned in a heated video, demanding transparency. Accompanied by his mother and friend C Park, VDM visited a GTBank branch in Abuja to request the account statement. Instead, he was met by police officers who took him and C Park into custody.
Deji Adeyanju announced the arrest on X, stating that VDM and C Park were detained at the bank, while his mother was not held. “Questioning suspicious debits isn’t a crime,” Adeyanju argued, calling the arrest unwarranted. The news triggered a swift response online, with X users debating the incident. One supporter wrote, “VDM was just asking about his mum’s money, and GTBank called police? That’s wild.” Another commented, “Whether you like VDM or not, arresting him for this feels off.” The hashtag #FreeVDM briefly trended, reflecting public interest in the case.
VDM’s history with law enforcement adds context to the incident. In 2024, he faced multiple arrests tied to his outspoken content. January brought detention after Tonto Dikeh’s petition over remarks in the Mohbad case. In March, he was held for alleged cyberbullying, followed by a June arrest linked to a scam exposé. In November, VDM was detained for wearing a police uniform in a satirical video, which authorities deemed impersonation. Each time, he was released, often reaffirming his commitment to speaking out. “Arrest me today, I’ll talk tomorrow,” he said in a June 2024 Instagram post after securing bail.
This arrest stands out for its personal stakes. Unlike his public campaigns against figures like Bobrisky or Iyabo Ojo, this involved his mother’s finances—a deeply personal issue for many Nigerians. In pre-arrest videos, VDM’s frustration was evident as he held up bank statements, saying, “This is my mum’s sweat. GTBank, explain these debits!” The arrest, occurring during his attempt to resolve the issue, has raised questions about the bank’s response. One X user noted, “If GTBank’s books are clean, why arrest VDM instead of explaining?”
VDM’s polarizing persona fuels the debate. With 1.5 million Instagram followers, he’s celebrated for exposing scams and corruption but criticized for his confrontational style. His 2024 feuds, including a cyberstalking charge after comments about Iyabo Ojo and a dispute with Femi Falana, have kept him in legal crosshairs. Supporters see his arrests as attempts to silence him, with one X post reading, “VDM’s exposés hit too hard, so they keep locking him up.” Critics, however, argue his approach invites trouble.
As of May 2, 2025, no official police statement has clarified the grounds for VDM’s detention, and his status remains uncertain. Adeyanju continues to advocate for his release, while VDM’s Instagram buzzes with reposts of his pre-arrest videos, including one where he warned, “If anything happens to me, ask GTBank.” The lack of clarity has heightened public curiosity, with fans awaiting updates.
The incident underscores broader issues of transparency and freedom of expression in Nigeria. VDM’s arrests, whether for a video or a bank dispute, highlight the challenges faced by vocal content creators. His resolve, seen in past posts like a December 2024 clip captioned “Nobody fit cancel me,” keeps his influence alive, even in custody.