“EFCC Grills Social Media Activist VeryDarkMan Over Income, Defamation Suit by Mercy Chinwo”
On Monday, May 5, 2025, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) interrogated social media activist Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), at its Abuja headquarters. The questioning, which lasted several hours, centered on multiple petitions concerning his sources of income, content creation methods, and allegations made against gospel singer Mercy Chinwo.
Interrogation Details
VDM was accompanied by his legal representatives, Deji Adeyanju and Marvin Omorogbe, during the interrogation that commenced around 2:30 p.m. EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale confirmed the arrest, stating that VDM was taken into custody following complaints from several petitioners. Oyewale emphasized the commission’s commitment to addressing the concerns of these individuals and mentioned plans to arraign VDM in court soon
Mercy Chinwo’s Legal Action
The interrogation also delved into VDM’s allegations against Mercy Chinwo. The gospel singer had previously filed a defamation lawsuit against VDM, accusing him of falsely claiming she diverted $345,000 from her former manager, Ezekiel Onyedikachukwu. Chinwo’s legal team is seeking N1 billion in general damages, N100 million in punitive damages, N25 million for legal costs, and a public apology to be published in national newspapers for 14 consecutive days.
Circumstances of Arrest
According to Adeyanju, VDM was arrested at a GTBank branch in Abuja, where he had gone with his mother and an associate to address unauthorized deductions from his mother’s account. Adeyanju claimed that VDM was trapped inside the bank’s exit door for over five minutes, facilitating his arrest by EFCC officers. He described the incident as a deliberate ploy and announced intentions to take legal action against GTBank for the treatment meted out to his client.
Public Reaction
The arrest has sparked public outcry, with the Take It Back Movement calling for VDM’s immediate and unconditional release. The group highlighted that VDM’s mother, present during the arrest, has since gone missing, raising concerns about her whereabouts. Additionally, some youths staged a protest at the GTBank branch in Abuja, demanding justice and transparency in the handling of the case.
Ongoing Legal Proceedings
The EFCC has indicated plans to arraign VDM in court as soon as possible, pending the fulfillment of bail conditions. Meanwhile, the legal battle between VDM and Mercy Chinwo continues, with the singer seeking substantial damages and a public retraction of the alleged defamatory statements.
As the situation unfolds, it underscores the growing scrutiny of social media influencers and the legal responsibilities that accompany their online activities.