Controversial self-acclaimed activist, Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, has been arrested, and is now in custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

The Nigerian Voice reported on Friday, that popular human rights lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, via his X handle, announced the arrest of VeryDarkMan by the police at GTB.

Taking to his X handle later on Friday night, Deji Adeyanju released a preliminary statement on the arrest of VeryDarkMan and his friend Steven Avuara. He further clarified that his client is now in the custody of the EFCC.

According to the statement, VeryDarkMan and his friend Mr. Steven Avuara were arrested by officers of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), immediately after they exited Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB) Ltd's premises at Garki, Area 3, Abuja.

The full statement reads:
"PRELIMINARY STATEMENT ON THE ARREST OF MR. MARTINS VINCENT OTSE (AKA VERY DARK BLACK MAN) AND MR. STEVEN AVUARA (AKA C-PACK) BY OFFICERS OF THE ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL CRIMES COMMISSION.

"Earlier today, May 2, 2025, our attention was drawn to the fact that our clients, Mr. Martins Vincent Otse (AKA Very Dark Black Man) and Mr. Steven Avuara (AKA C-PACK), were arrested by officers of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), immediately after they exited Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB) Ltd's premises at Garki, Area 3, Abuja.

"Upon receipt of the information, our Founding Partner, Marvin Omorogbe. Esq, and our Associate, Steven Eze, Esq. promptly proceeded to the EFCC Headquarters, Abuja, where they confirmed that our clients were being detained by officers attached to the Commission's Special Duty Committee (SDC) Unit 4.

"Further inquiries at the SDC Unit 4 led our colleagues to a certain Mr. Chukwu, who was identified as the lead officer in charge of the case. Our colleagues subsequently requested access to our clients, but they were informed that Mr. Martins Otse declined to see anybody. However, our colleagues were able to see Mr. Avuara, who narrated the circumstances leading to their arrest.

"From our interactive session with Mr. Avuara, we were able to gather that Mr. Martins Otse, his mother, Mrs. Blessing Otse, and Mr. Avuara visited GTB Garki, Area 3, Abuja, to make inquiries about the incessant deductions from Mrs. Otse's bank account. Following the conclusion of the inquiries, they attempted to exit the building, but were locked in the bank's security door for over five minutes. Shortly thereafter, they were accosted at gun point a few metres outside the bank's premises, beaten and blindfolded by some armed men wearing black uniforms.

"According to Mr. Avuara, Mr. Martins Otse refused to speak with anybody presumably because of the psychological and physical trauma he experienced in the hands of the arresting officers, who labelled them as "bandits" and threatened to shoot them in the presence of Mrs. Otse.

"We were further informed by Mr. Avuara that they were transported to the EFCC's headquarters at Jabi, Abuja. At the time of this statement, we are unable to confirm the whereabouts of Mrs. Otse.

"We, thereafter, sought to find out from the EFCC's officers the exact allegation against Mr. Avuara, having not been able to speak with Mr. Martins Otse. Subsequently, we were directed to proceed to an interrogation room, where four EFCC officers, led by Mr. Chukwu, attempted to interrogate Mr. Avuara regarding his relationship with Mr. Martins Otse. Despite repeated requests. the EFCC's officers refused to disclose the specific allegation against Mr. Avuara, but only showed our colleagues an arrest warrant allegedly issued against Mr. Martins Otse by His Worship, Njideka lloanya-Duru (Mrs), Chief. Magistrate II, Wuse Zone 2, on the allegation of cyber stalking.

"Regardless of our protest against the procedure adopted by the EFCC officers. which sought to elicit information from Mr. Avuara without first informing him of the allegations against him, the officers still attempted to continue their interrogation of Mr. Avuara.

"In order not to legitimise the clear breach of Mr. Avuara's constitutional right to be informed of the allegations against him, our colleagues exited the interrogation room and the EFCC Headquarters.

"While we continue to interface with the EFCC on this issue, we call on the commission to respect our clients' constitutionally guaranteed rights.

Zainab M./Otega, Esq

F: Management."