On the evening of May 7, 2025, Nigeria’s social media erupted in a frenzy of joy as Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), strutted out of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) custody in Abuja. The controversial activist, whose razor-sharp critiques have made him a household name, was released after a dramatic five-day detention that gripped the nation. From the streets to the X platform, fans and celebrities like actress Sarah Martins and singer Davido roared in celebration, marking VDM’s freedom as a triumph over silencing dissent.
The saga began on May 2, when VDM was nabbed at a Guaranty Trust Bank branch while addressing unauthorized deductions from his mother’s account. The EFCC, citing multiple petitions alleging financial misconduct, held him under a court-ordered remand, sparking fiery protests at their headquarters and GTBank offices. By May 6, the agency granted administrative bail, but VDM remained behind bars until his legal team, led by the tenacious Deji Adeyanju, met the undisclosed conditions. “VDM is out! Nigerians spoke, and the EFCC listened,” Adeyanju declared on X, thanking heavyweights like Peter Obi, Atiku Abubakar, and Yele Sowore for their vocal support.
As news broke, X lit up with viral videos of VDM, cool and unbowed, cruising in a car alongside Adeyanju. “Money laundering? Me? I’m not even that rich!” he quipped, dismissing the EFCC’s accusations with his signature swagger. Fans flooded the platform with memes, dubbing him “Nigeria’s untouchable warrior.” One post by @instablog9ja cheekily noted, “DeeOne and haters go ghost as VDM walks free,” capturing the electric mood.
VDM video with his Lawyer after release
The release wasn’t just a personal victory for VDM, it reignited debates about free speech. Supporters, including human rights lawyer Femi Falana, who condemned the arrest as unlawful, hailed it as a middle finger to those allegedly using state power to mute critics. “This is bigger than VDM; it’s a litmus test for Nigeria’s democracy,” activist Wasiu Adejumo told Legit.ng. Yet, the EFCC insists the case isn’t over, with spokesperson Dele Oyewale warning that VDM will face court soon.
For now, VDM is back, and Nigeria is buzzing. Will he drop a tell-all video spilling the tea on his detention? Bet on it, his camera’s probably already rolling. This is one comeback story that’s got everyone hooked, and the nation’s eyes are glued to what this fearless firebrand does next.
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