By Daniel Okonkwo, Profiles International Human Rights Advocate
In what has become a matter of growing public concern and debate, the recent arrest of Nigerian social commentator Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), has provoked conversations around citizens’ rights, institutional transparency, and the boundaries of lawful enforcement in Nigeria.
VDM’s arrest—reportedly carried out by operatives of the Nigeria Police Force and allegedly linked to a visit to Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank)—followed his public expression of concern over repeated deductions from his mother’s bank account. According to VDM, these deductions were labeled as loan repayments for loans neither he nor his mother knowingly applied for or received. This matter raises serious questions about data protection, banking protocols, and consumer rights within Nigeria’s financial system.
VDM stated in a post on his social media handle: “How can you say someone used my mother’s NIN to collect a loan? Like how? Where is your customer security? Which account did you credit when you approved the loan?” These concerns—while yet to be independently verified—highlight the importance of robust digital identity protection and the responsibilities of financial institutions in safeguarding customer data and funds.
According to multiple eyewitness reports and social media commentary, VDM visited a GTBank branch in Abuja with his mother to seek clarification regarding these deductions. However, during the visit, he was allegedly taken away by individuals in uniform, and his location remained unknown for hours until his lawyer, Barrister Deji Adeyanju, confirmed his detention.
The circumstances surrounding this arrest, including whether a valid warrant was presented and whether proper procedures were followed, remain unclear. These details are vital in determining the legality and proportionality of the arrest under Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution—specifically Sections 35 and 36, which guarantee the rights to personal liberty and fair hearing.
It is essential to clarify that seeking transparency and redress through lawful means is a right of every Nigerian citizen. The act of questioning institutional procedures—particularly where financial integrity and data privacy are at stake—should not be misconstrued as subversive or criminal. In this light, calls have emerged for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), if involved, and the Nigeria Police Force to publicly outline the legal basis for the arrest and detention of VDM.
While GTBank has not officially commented on the matter at the time of this writing, the bank is encouraged to provide clarity on the allegations, particularly concerning its internal loan processing and identity verification systems. Ensuring that such sensitive operations are immune to identity misuse or unauthorized access is not only critical to the bank’s credibility but also fundamental to public trust.
It is important to emphasize that no direct conclusions should be drawn until all relevant facts are established. However, this incident underlines a broader conversation about the treatment of citizens who voice legitimate grievances and the systemic reforms needed to strengthen institutional accountability.
We at Profiles International Human Rights Advocate urge a full and transparent investigation into the circumstances surrounding this arrest for the protection of all parties’ rights and the restoration of public confidence in Nigeria’s legal and financial systems.
Justice must be both real and visible. At a time when digital and financial systems are increasingly intertwined with citizens’ daily lives, protecting the rights of individuals who speak up is a collective duty. The Nigerian people—and indeed, the world—are watching.
