Popular Influencer VeryDarkMan Arrested After Criticizing GTBank Over Unauthorized Debits

Nigerian social media influencer and outspoken commentator, Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), has been arrested by the Nigerian Police in Abuja. The arrest, confirmed by his legal counsel, Barrister Deji Adeyanju, occurred following VDM’s vocal condemnation of Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank) over alleged unauthorized deductions from his mother’s bank account.

According to reports, the influencer had visited a GTBank branch in Abuja alongside his mother to seek clarity and obtain her account statement. He alleged that the bank had repeatedly deducted money from her account in the name of loan repayments, which she insists she never applied for. The situation took a dramatic turn when police officers from Area 3 in Abuja arrived at the bank premises and arrested VDM and his friend, known simply as C Park.

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Arrest Sparks Outrage Over Free Speech and Consumer Rights

VDM’s arrest has generated significant online backlash, with critics accusing both the bank and the police of attempting to silence a public figure advocating for transparency and accountability. Adeyanju, who has frequently represented activists and public figures, took to 𝕏 (formerly Twitter) to express his disapproval of the arrest.

“JUST IN: VDM arrested by the police at GTB. Spoke to them before he was arrested. This is absolutely unacceptable. Demanding accountability is not a crime,” he posted.

In a follow-up message, the lawyer confirmed that although VDM and his friend were arrested, his mother—central to the account in question—was not detained.

“They arrested VDM at GTB. He was arrested with his friend C Park but they left his mom alone,” Adeyanju stated.

The arrest has fueled debates around freedom of expression in Nigeria, especially concerning the role of influencers in holding corporate entities accountable. Many of VDM’s supporters see the arrest as an attempt to intimidate him into silence, particularly given his history of addressing social and political issues head-on.

The Root of the Dispute: Repeated Debits from Mother’s GTBank Account

Before his arrest, VeryDarkMan had publicly shared his grievances with GTBank. In a viral post, he outlined how his mother had experienced repeated unauthorized debits labeled as loan repayments—despite never applying for any such loans. He accompanied his claims with partial documentation, demanding full transparency from the bank.

“Myself and my mom just arrived at GTBank to get an explanation for the constant debit from her account by GTBank in the name of loan repayments that she never took,” VDM posted online.

He added that more than seven such deductions had occurred within the year, raising suspicions about potential internal errors or fraud.

“So far, in this year alone, there have been more than seven debits on loan repayments,” he wrote. “GTBank staff are cooperating—hopefully, we’ll know why they keep doing this.”

His post quickly gained traction across social media platforms, drawing sympathy and concern from the public. Many online users shared similar experiences with financial institutions, turning VDM’s case into a broader discussion about banking practices and consumer protection in Nigeria.

Legal Implications and Public Reaction

The details surrounding the legal basis for VDM’s arrest remain unclear as of the time of reporting. However, his lawyer has insisted that no criminal offense was committed by the influencer, pointing out that his actions were limited to requesting explanations from the bank and sharing his frustrations online.

Civil rights groups and digital rights advocates have condemned the arrest, calling it a dangerous precedent that discourages consumer activism. Several legal experts have weighed in, suggesting that unless VDM threatened or defamed the bank—which has not been alleged—his arrest could constitute an abuse of police power.

Meanwhile, calls for his immediate release continue to trend online under hashtags such as #FreeVeryDarkMan and #JusticeForVDM, with thousands of supporters demanding accountability from both the police and GTBank.

A Larger Conversation on Corporate Transparency and Influencer Power

VeryDarkMan’s arrest highlights a growing tension between Nigeria’s institutions and digital influencers, who increasingly use their platforms to challenge authority and expose perceived injustices. With millions of followers and a reputation for speaking truth to power, VDM has built a brand rooted in bold commentary and social advocacy.

This incident underscores the evolving landscape of social influence, where traditional power structures are being called out in real-time by individuals with large digital footprints. It also raises critical questions about the rights of consumers, the accountability of financial institutions, and the role of law enforcement in disputes involving public criticism.

As pressure mounts for his release, all eyes remain on the Nigeria Police Force and GTBank to clarify their roles in the matter and to uphold the rights of citizens seeking redress through lawful and peaceful means.