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00:00Controversial social media influencer, very dark man, Von Martin Vincent Ose, is arrested
00:07again, this time by the EFCC. The arrest sparks national outrage with big names like Peter
00:15Obi, Omoyele Shoore and Atiku Abubakar, questioning the legality and intent behind the move. Meanwhile,
00:23the EFCC remains tight linked on specific charges, as Nigerians demand transparency.
00:31Martin Vincent Ose, known across platforms as Very Dark Man, was picked up by operatives
00:37of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission over fresh allegations of cyber stalking.
00:45The arrest reporter looked to place just outside a GT Bank branch in Area 3 Abuja. In what
00:51witnesses see was a joint operation involving the EFCC, DSS and police. It follows multiple
00:59complaints of online harassment, intimidation and defamation, all potentially breaching the
01:04Nigerian Cyber Security Act of 2015. This isn't BDM's first encounter with the law. In May 2024,
01:13it was arraigned on five counts of cyber stalking involving acquisitions from Nollywood figures
01:19Tontodike Aniyab Ojo and even the Nigerian police force. Later that year, he was charged with
01:26impersonating a police officer. In September, he was sued for one billion nera by Bob Risky,
01:33who claimed BDM spread false ordeal, allegedly AI-generated. And just last month, a court ordered
01:41his arrest over defamatory statements about gospel singer Mercy Chinwu. His lawyer, Deji Adeyeju,
01:48called the arrest excessive and said he had returned to Abuja to seek bail.
01:53He noticed that BDM had only recently made a public complaint at the GT Bank branch,
01:59alleging unauthorized deduction from his mother's account, raising questions about the timing of his
02:05arrest. However, GT Bank swiftly debunked any involvement. The bank released CCTV footage
02:12showing BDM existing in the banking hall and walking towards the car park, just before his arrest.
02:18The actual arrest wasn't captured. The bank urged the public to await formal investigation,
02:24stressing that the incident happened outside their premises. In response to public outcry,
02:31the EFCC issued a recent statement on its official ex-account, clarifying that Barry Darkman's arrest
02:37was based on multiple petitions, alleging serious financial crimes. The agency stated that despite
02:44several invitations sent through known addresses and communication channels, Ose failed to honor them,
02:50necessitating his arrest. While acknowledging its previous public criticism of the commission,
02:56the EFCC insisted the arrest was unrelated to those attacks. It confirmed that a legal remand order
03:03was obtained and that he has been offered an administrative bill pending fulfillment of the
03:08conditions. The commission urged Nigerians to allow it carry out its duty without interference,
03:14assuring that charges will be filed once investigations concludes. Former presidential candidate
03:20Vita Obe condemned the method of arrest, comparing it to an adoption. He warned that such tactics
03:27blow the line between legal enforcement and intimidation, endangering national security and public trust.
03:34Obe also criticized the reputational damage done to GT Bank, inting at larger consequences for Nigeria's
03:41economic image. Human rights activist Omo Yele Showere insisted the EFCC lacks constitutional authority
03:49to persecute defamation or cyberbullying cases. Meanwhile, supporters including David Doe and
03:56Kubada Chief Priest have taken to social media, calling for his immediate release. On Monday,
04:02dozens of protesters in Abuja took to the street, chanting,
04:07Free VDM, while only flankers like activism is not a sin, and VDM is the masses' laborator.
04:14They marched from the EFCC headquarters to GT Bank and later to the National Human Rights Commission,
04:21demanding answers from both the agency and the bank, although netizens did notice a low turnout in
04:28comparison to the former gatherings. The protesters claimed the arrest is a targeted crackdown
04:35and are urging a swift and lawful resolution, as at news time, the EFCC is seeking a court order to
04:42remand Ouse, pending formal arraignment. The nation watches closely, as a case of very dark man,
04:50raises deeper questions about lore, freedom of speech, and the limits of digital expression in Nigeria.
05:12Thank you very much.