Protesters stormed the Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank) in Area 3 of Abuja on Monday, demanding the immediate release of popular social media influencer m, Martins Otse, widely known as VeryDarkMan (VDM).
Persecondnews correspondent, who was at the scene of the protest, reports that demonstrators gathered at the new generation bank in Abuja as early as 8am, chanting “#FreeVDM” and carrying placards bearing messages such as”Activism is not a sin”, and “VDM has committed no offence.”
They accused the authorities of “unjustly targeting” the activist.
Bankole Ojo, one of the protesters, questioned the EFCC’s involvement in cyberstalking cases, saying, “What’s the business of EFCC with cyberstalking? Is cyberstalking now a fraud case?”
Another protester, Antonio Bamiyi, said: “If GTBank knows they don’t have a hand in it, they should put out a statement instead of CCTV footage. VDM is the voice of the voiceless; EFCC should release him so the protest will end.”
The protesters vowed to continue demonstrating until VDM is freed.
Persecondnews recalls that VeryDarkMan was arrested by EFCC operatives on Friday May 2, over alleged cyberstalking.
His lawyer, Mr. Deji Adeyanju, claimed VDM was ambushed and arrested within the bank premises, an incident that has sparked widespread outrage, with many accusing the EFCC of cracking down on dissent.
“VDM was locked inside the GTB exit door for over five minutes to enable EFCC to arrest him and his friend,” Adeyanju said.
GTBank, has however, denied any involvement in the arrest, releasing CCTV footage that shows VDM walking out of the banking hall towards the car park shortly before his detention.
The protesters questioned the bank’s alleged role in the arrest and condemned what they described as an attempt to silence the influencer for his outspoken activism.
Contacted, EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale explained that VDM’s arrest followed multiple petitions alleging misconduct.
“We arrested him to respond to a series of allegations raised against him by some petitioners,” he said.
Oyewale added that VDM would be released if he meets his bail conditions, and the case would be taken to court as soon as possible.
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