Former Nigerian Vice President and 2023 Peoples Democratic Party presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar publicly demanded the immediate release of social media activist Martins Vincent Otse, known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), describing his arrest by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) as a “disgraceful” abuse of power.
In a statement issued Monday, Atiku accused President Bola Tinubu’s administration of using security agencies to silence critics, arguing that VDM’s detention on charges of alleged cybercrime and defamation was a politically motivated attempt to suppress free speech. The call for VDM’s release has intensified public scrutiny of the EFCC’s actions and raised concerns about the state of civil liberties in Nigeria.
VDM was arrested on May 2, 2025, in Abuja following a petition reportedly linked to his viral videos exposing alleged corruption, financial misconduct, and abuse by prominent figures, including banks and public officials. The EFCC has confirmed that Otse will face charges in court, though the agency has provided limited details about the specific allegations. Atiku’s statement highlighted the manner of VDM’s arrest, which reportedly involved armed operatives detaining him, his mother, and an associate after a bank visit, as evidence of excessive force. He argued that such tactics undermine Nigeria’s democratic credentials and risk alienating the youth, who view VDM as a voice for accountability.
The former vice president called for the EFCC to either present credible evidence against VDM or release him, warning that prolonged detention without charges violates constitutional rights. He also criticized the Tinubu administration for what he described as a pattern of targeting activists and journalists, citing previous arrests of critics as evidence of shrinking civic space.
Atiku’s intervention has amplified ongoing protests in Abuja, where youths have demanded VDM’s release, and has drawn attention to the broader issue of cybercrime laws being used to curb dissent. The controversy surrounding VDM’s arrest underscores the delicate balance between law enforcement and freedom of expression in Nigeria, with implications for the government’s relationship with its increasingly vocal youth population.