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| EFCC and GTBank buildings linked to case |
Lawyers for social media activist Martins “VeryDarkMan” Otse say his mother, Mrs. Blessing Otse, has vanished since his May 1 detention by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) . They warn the EFCC that failing to account for her whereabouts breaches her rights and fuels public alarm .
Otse rose to fame in 2022 for his sharp critiques of Nigeria’s elite on Instagram and X . He uses the handle @verydarkman to expose fraud and defend citizens’ rights. His reach spans over 500,000 followers, many of whom now worry for his family .
He was arrested at gunpoint inside GTBank’s Garki branch in Abuja as he pressed staff about repeated debits from his mother’s account . Witnesses say he and a friend were locked in the exit door for over five minutes before operatives struck .
Friends describe a brutal scene. One said men in black uniforms blindfolded and beat Otse before dragging him into a black van . His mother was left inside the bank, distraught and alone. Since then, no one has been able to reach her .
In a statement, Deji Adeyanju & Partners condemned the arrest as “a clear breach of constitutional rights” . Lawyers Marvin Omorogbe and Steven Eze say they gained limited access to Otse’s friend, but still await word on Mrs. Otse .
As of press time, EFCC has not issued details on the mother or the formal charges against Otse . Observers note this deepens fears over the use of anti‑fraud powers to silence critics.
Civil rights groups and online activists are calling for her safe return. Some urge GTBank to explain any role it played during the ambush . Others demand EFCC disclose her location and health status .
The EFCC was set up in 2003 to fight financial crimes and money laundering. It reports to the President and has 15 zonal commands across Nigeria . Critics say it now risks overreach if it detains family members without cause.
Otse’s case follows past crackdowns on online dissent. In 2024, he faced cyberbullying charges and was held for two weeks before release . That event sparked debate on data privacy and free speech.
Bank protocol also faces scrutiny. GTBank must clarify how a loan flagged on Mrs. Otse’s account passed identity checks . Otse had posted video proof at the branch shortly before his arrest .
Legal experts warn that failing to inform detainees of their accusers or allow family contact defies Section 35 of the 1999 Constitution . They urge an urgent court order to confirm Mrs. Otse’s status.
Online, petitions calling for her release have gathered thousands of signatures on Change.org and Twitter threads . Influencers like Davido and Hilda Baci have shared the plea, fueling a national debate on citizens’ safety under anti‑crime agencies.
Political voices have also weighed in. A senator posted on X that if the EFCC truly fights corruption, it should welcome scrutiny, not suppress it . A former governor called the silence on Mrs. Otse “deeply troubling.”
International monitors say Nigeria must respect human rights in all anti‑fraud operations . They note past EFCC recoveries of nearly $500 million in one year, but warn such power demands strict checks .
The missing‐person report for Mrs. Otse remains open with Nigeria’s police, yet no updates have followed her bank visit . Family and lawyers plan to file a habeas corpus petition if there’s no word by Monday.
For now, VeryDarkMan’s followers watch and wait. They pray for his mother’s safety and for his swift release . The case tests Nigeria’s rule of law and its promise to protect all citizens, whether critic or banker, mother or son.