Legal representatives for social media activist Martins Vincent Otse, also known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), have raised concerns regarding the whereabouts of his mother, Mrs. Blessing Otse. This follows his arrest by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on May 2, 2025.
According to a statement issued by the law firm Deji Adeyanju & Partners, Otse was arrested alongside his associate, Steven Avuara (also known as C-Pack). This was shortly after they left a branch of Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank) in the Garki, Area 3 district of Abuja.
The three individuals — Otse, his mother, and Avuara — had reportedly gone to the bank to inquire about unexplained deductions from Mrs. Otse’s account. The legal team stated that the building’s security door delayed them for over five minutes as they attempted to exit the bank.
Incident Outside Bank Described by Lawyers
The law firm’s statement, signed by counsel Zainab M. Otega, alleges that shortly after exiting the bank, Otse and Avuara were approached by individuals in black uniforms, who were armed. According to the lawyers, these individuals restrained Otse and Avuara and transported them from the scene. Mrs. Otse’s location has not been confirmed since.
While EFCC officials have acknowledged detaining Otse and Avuara, they have not provided information regarding Mrs. Otse’s status, according to the legal representatives.
Access to Detainees and Legal Concerns
Following the arrest, lawyers Marvin Omorogbe and Steven Eze visited the EFCC’s office in Jabi, Abuja. There, they were granted access only to Avuara. The legal team claims that Avuara was not informed of any formal charges but was questioned. They were shown an arrest warrant naming Otse and citing allegations of cyberstalking.
The lawyers stated that attempts to question Avuara without full disclosure of the charges violate his legal rights, and they subsequently left the premises in protest.
Concerns About Role of GTBank
Separately, legal practitioner Deji Adeyanju, representing Otse, publicly questioned the role of GTBank in the arrest, citing the security delay at the bank’s exit as a possible enabling factor for the EFCC operation.
Adeyanju stated that the legal team plans to initiate legal action against the bank, claiming it contributed to the circumstances under which their client was detained.
Next Steps and Public Reactions
As of May 3, Otse and Avuara remain in EFCC custody. Legal efforts to determine the status and location of Mrs. Blessing Otse are ongoing. The law firm has called on the EFCC to ensure full compliance with constitutional protections afforded to all individuals in custody.
The EFCC has not released a public statement responding to the concerns raised by Otse’s legal representatives.
