A combined picture of Gtbank logo and Verydarkman
By Victory Oghene
Human Rights lawyer, Deji Adeyanju has narrated how operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arrested social media influencer and activist, Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), inside the premises of the Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank).
The arrest has sparked outrage online and raised questions about the bank’s alleged complicity in what critics describe as a targeted crackdown.
According to VeryDarkMan’s lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, VeryDarkMan was ambushed by EFCC operatives right inside GTBank premises.
In a statement posted online, Adeyanju revealed that VDM was trapped inside the bank’s exit door for over five minutes — a move he claims was a deliberate ploy to enable EFCC officers effect the arrest.
“VDM was locked inside the GTB exit door for over 5 mins to enable EFCC arrest him and his friend,” Adeyanju said.
“We will be taking legal actions against GTB for the inhumane treatment meted out to our client. We will issue a public statement soon.”
Adeyanju further disclosed that his legal team, led by Marvin Omorogbe, had already located the detained activist and were working to secure his release.
“Our lawyers led by the Head of our firm @Marvin\_Omorogbe just met VDM’s friend who was arrested together with him in EFCC custody. VDM refused to come out of the cell; that he won’t see anyone,” Adeyanju said.
“We have located VDM and [are] working on getting him out. Our lawyers are now with him,” he added.
The exact charges or reasons for the arrest remain unclear at the time of filing this report.
Dismissing VeryDarkMan’s allegetions, Oyinade Adegite, Chief Communication Officer at Guaranty Trust Holding Company (“GTCO Plc”), said the bank did not order the arrest of VeryDarkMan.
“The bank did not order the arrest of VeryDarkMan ” She told NATIONAL WAVES in a WhatsApp call on Saturday morning.
