Popular social media activist Martins Otse, widely known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), has regained his freedom from the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
VDM was arrested on Friday in Abuja over allegations of cyberstalking and was released on Wednesday evening.
According to reports, VDM’s arrest followed a series of petitions against him, claiming he failed to honor several invitations from the EFCC. However, his release has sparked mixed reactions from Nigerians, with some hailing it as a victory for activism and others questioning the circumstances surrounding his arrest and detention.
Omoyele Sowore, an activist and politician, confirmed VDM’s release on his official Facebook page, simply posting “VDM Released!”. Some Nigerians have expressed relief and congratulated VDM on his release, with one commenter saying, “Justice served. No voice should be silenced for standing up against corruption and injustice.” Others, however, have been more critical, with one user questioning VDM’s methods, saying, “You can do the right thing in the wrong way.”
Notable figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi, the Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party in 2023, had called for VDM’s immediate release, condemning the manner of his arrest and detention.
VDM’s detention had sparked widespread protests, with some youths taking to the streets of Abuja, demanding his release and describing his arrest as “illegal”. The protesters held placards with inscriptions such as “Release VeryDarkMan” and “Seyi Tinubu, Are You Involved?.”