VeryDarkMan
The legal team of social media activist Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), has debunked claims linking Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank) to his recent arrest in Abuja. The clarification comes amid widespread social media speculation suggesting the bank’s involvement.
VDM’s arrest sparked online outrage, with some alleging that GTBank played a role after VDM visited one of its branches to report unauthorized transactions from his mother’s account. However, Barrister Deji Adeyanju, a human rights lawyer representing VDM, dismissed these claims, stating, “There is no connection between GTBank and the arrest of my client. It occurred at a different location and was carried out by state actors.”
Adeyanju explained that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arrested VDM in Area 3, hours after his visit to the bank, with no evidence linking GTBank to the incident. Legal sources also confirmed that GTBank had no involvement or collaboration with law enforcement.
The bank faced significant online backlash, which critics described as premature and unfounded. Political analyst Isaac Asabor remarked, “GTBank simply received a customer complaint. There is no factual basis to suggest they were complicit in his arrest.”
Meanwhile, the EFCC has yet to disclose specific charges or reasons for VDM’s detention, raising concerns about transparency. Observers have called for fact-based reporting to combat misinformation and prevent unwarranted reputational damage.
