The hashtag #FREEVDM continues to gain momentum after activist Martins Vincent Otse, also known as VeryDarkMan, was arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission outside a Guaranty Trust Bank branch in Abuja.

His arrest followed his public criticism of the bank for allegedly making unauthorized withdrawals from his mother’s account.

According to his lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, VDM was ambushed by EFCC operatives and trapped inside GTB’s exit door for over five minutes—a move he claims was a deliberate ploy to allow the anti-graft officers to effect his arrest.

Many Nigerians, including VDM’s brother, Mark Vincent Otse, have accused the bank of complicity in the arrest and called for a boycott of the bank.

Meanwhile, GT BANK has released a security footage showing that VeryDarkMan was not apprehended in the bank.

According to the Chief Communication Officer, Oyinade Adegite, VDM posted on his social media pages that he was visiting GTBank branch in Garki to resolve the alleged issue with his mother’s account.

He concluded his business successfully and left our branch as seen in the CCTV footage. His subsequent arrest is unrelated to his visit to the GTBank branch in Garki.

In a preliminary statement, VDM’s legal team stated that their client and his associate, C-Park, were forcefully arrested at gunpoint outside a GTbank in the presence of VDM’s mother.

They were allegedly beaten while blindfolded, labeled as bandits, and threatened.

The legal team visited the EFCC and were shown an arrest warrant for VDM on allegations of cyberstalking, issued by a magistrate in Wuse Zone 2.

However, no formal charge or allegation was disclosed against VDM’s associate, C-Park.

Social media have been awash with reactions to VDM’s arrest, with many, including musicians Seun Kuti and Davido, demanding his release.

Also, videos of foreigners calling out the EFCC and the federal government of Nigeria over his arrest have since gone viral.

An old video of the late Afrobeat legend Fela Anikulapo Kuti during a tour with his Africa 70 band in Berlin in 1978 where he told the audience about what happens when you speak the truth has gone viral.

Seyi Tinubu, son of Nigeria’s President, has denied any involvement in the National Association of Nigerian Students crisis.

Last week, Atiku Isah, who claimed to be the NANS President, alleged that Seyi Tinubu and the Minister of Youth Development offered him a bribe of N100 million to support Tinubu and that he was abducted, and threatened when he refused the offer.

He also alleged that he was tortured and forced to resign from his position on April 16, 2025.

Seyi Tinubu, in a post on Instagram, accused Isah of telling lies against him with so much confidence to defame him.

He insisted that he has never held a meeting with Isah to discuss any subject matter in Lagos or anywhere else in the world.

Labour Party leader, Peter Obi has condemned the alleged abduction of Atiku Isah and the arrest of VeryDarkMan.

In a post on X, Obi expressed concern over the disregard for the rule of law and the erosion of youth voices in a democracy.

Over the weekend, social media was awash with reactions after a U.S.-based Nigerian activist, Dr. Sandra Duru, alleged that suspended Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan offered her N200 million to falsely accuse Senate President, Godswill Akpabio of organ harvesting.. Duru, who also goes by the name Professor Mgbeke on Facebook, made the allegations during a live session on the platform.

She alleged that Natasha admitted to having no evidence of sexual harassment against Akpabio and wants to force his resignation.

The activist also claimed that Natasha recruited a former Minister of Education, Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, and Arise News to do her bidding, insisting that Natasha is on a mission to destroy men.

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has refuted the claims made by Professor Mgbeke, saying that the activist was acting on behalf of Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

Natasha posted a screenshot from the Facebook live session where the activist mistakenly flashed her call log, showing Godswill Akpabio’s name.

In the United Kingdom, highlighting Nigerian-born chef Adejoké Bakare, who went from selling fish and chips at a tiny stall in Nigeria, to becoming UK’s first Black Michelin-starred chef.

Bakare achieved this feat in February of last year, less than six months after opening her acclaimed restaurant, Chishuru, in Fitz-rovia, London.

The Michelin Guide declared that her restaurant, Chishuru, has helped to put West African cuisine firmly in the spotlight by gaining a Michelin star.

Arise News will be covering the 2025 Met Gala live from New York. Nigerian superstar Burna Boy is making his Met Gala debut, and we’ve got front-row access.

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