Social media personality Martins Vincent Otse, widely known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), has once again landed in legal trouble as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arrested him over the weekend.
According to reliable sources within the Commission, the controversial content creator was picked up following multiple reports accusing him of cyber harassment.
An EFCC official, who requested anonymity, confirmed on Sunday that Otse was taken into custody after “several complaints that he used his social media platforms to harass, insult, and intimidate individuals — actions that may contravene the Cybercrimes Act of 2015.”
The source, however, refused to give names of those who filed the complaints or offer details on the allegations. But this latest arrest adds to an ongoing string of legal challenges Otse has faced over the past year.
In May 2024, Otse was arraigned in a Federal High Court in Abuja on five counts of cyberstalking. The charges came after he allegedly targeted the Nigeria Police Force and popular Nollywood actresses Iyabo Ojo and Tonto Dikeh in online posts. He pleaded not guilty but was detained pending a bail hearing.
Later in November 2024, new charges of impersonation were brought against him at an Abuja Magistrate Court. Prosecutors claimed he dressed up and acted as a police officer unlawfully. Otse once again pleaded not guilty and was granted bail set at ₦2 million.
September of the same year saw yet another legal issue, this time from popular crossdresser Bobrisky, also known as Idris Okuneye. Otse was sued for ₦1 billion for defamation after a voice recording surfaced in which he claimed Bobrisky bribed EFCC officials. Bobrisky denied the accusations, stating the recording was fabricated using artificial intelligence.
Then in April 2025, gospel artist Mercy Chinwo secured a court order for Otse’s arrest over allegedly defamatory remarks. The court also demanded that he delete the offensive content and issue a public apology.
His lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, speaking to Vanguard from abroad, confirmed he would be returning to Abuja to pursue Otse’s bail. “I’m currently not in Nigeria, but I’ll be back in Abuja tomorrow (Monday) afternoon. By 4 p.m., we’ll be at the EFCC to secure his bail,” he said.
He also noted that the EFCC had not yet clearly stated the new offences being investigated.
Meanwhile, human rights advocate Omoyele Sowore has spoken out strongly against the arrest, describing it as an unlawful move to suppress Otse’s voice. According to him, “The Commission does not possess the legal mandate to prosecute individuals for criminal defamation, libel, or cybercrime… Therefore, the EFCC must release VDM without delay.”
