- GTBank faces massive backlash after VeryDarkMan’s controversial arrest outside its Abuja branch
- Social media activist VeryDarkMan and his associate were arrested by EFCC officers after visiting a GTBank branch in Abuja
- Nigerians accuse the bank of complicity, with many closing their GTBank accounts in protest
In what is rapidly becoming a financial and reputational nightmare, Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank) is facing a significant backlash following the controversial arrest of social media critic, Vincent Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM).
The incident, which occurred on May 2, 2025, outside the bank’s Garki, Area 3, Abuja branch, has triggered a public outcry and prompted a wave of customers to close or withdraw funds from their GTBank accounts in protest.
According to a detailed statement issued by Deji Adeyanju, the legal representative for VDM, the arrest occurred moments after Otse, his mother, Mrs Blessing Otse, and his associate Steven Avuara visited the bank to inquire about unexplained deductions from Mrs Otse’s account.
What began as a routine banking complaint took an unexpected turn when the trio were reportedly locked in the bank's security doors for over five minutes, only to be accosted, assaulted, and blindfolded by armed men in black uniforms immediately after stepping outside.
The men were later confirmed to be operatives from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), who detained VDM and Avuara at their Jabi headquarters.
The arrest was reportedly based on a warrant tied to allegations of cyberstalking, a charge critics argue lies far outside the EFCC’s jurisdiction, which is legally confined to financial and economic crimes.
What makes this situation especially explosive is the perception that GTBank may have played a role in facilitating the arrest.
Although the bank has yet to issue any formal statement clarifying its involvement or disassociating from the incident, Nigerians have not waited for an explanation.
Within 24 hours of the arrest, social media erupted with threats of account closures and calls for mass withdrawals.
The hashtag #FreeVDM is trending nationwide, accompanied by viral tweets from users claiming to have moved funds out of GTBank or closed their accounts altogether.
The anger wasn't limited to individual sentiments. Entire families were reportedly pulling out of the bank, with some users encouraging businesses to reject GTBank transactions altogether.
A strong sentiment of betrayal has swept through the public, with many accusing the bank of aiding in the suppression of a voice that spoke out against corruption and injustice.
Reactions amidst VeryDarkMan’s arrest scandal
Social media exploded with calls to boycott GTBank. Users accused the institution of collaborating with the EFCC and betraying public trust.
@Mr_porsche: “I don first transfer all my money from @gtbank to my other account. I advise all of you to do the same."
@Choji_ES: “Over 100,000 Nigerians have emptied their accounts with @gtbank in the last 24 hours, and their official pages have received over 13,000 reports from Nigerians since yesterday.
Things are not looking good for GT bank."
@DanielRegha have called out both the EFCC and GTBank for their silence: “Neither GTbank or the EFCC has released any statement regarding the reported arrest of VDM; They should address the situation. Arresting someone is one thing, but the reported assault is another. Regardless what he's done, assault is something no-one should stand for. If he's committed a punishable offence, follow the due process, and keep the public updated. This is ridiculous.”
@adeyemilekan: “In solidarity with VDM & mum, I'm closing ALL my 6 accounts with GTBANK asap. By this post, I am instructing my children and family to do same. Anyone who wish to transact business with me using a GTBANK account has failed before starting. General public, please take note.”
@MoscoIbhas: “Fellow Nigerians, especially THE RATELS, Withdraw ur money from @gtbank.
If the collapse of GTB is what it takes for us to wake up and act like human beings in this country, so be it.
I will not remain silent in the face of injustice. #FreeVDM.”
@BetaKoncept: “Does GTBank know the implication of what they did to VeryDarkMan? They just started a war they wouldn't contain.”
@emmanwokedi2: “If by tomorrow or next we don't hear from Verydarkman, we are going to carry out a protest, and if nothing is done, we will unleash our anger on every GTBank we see in this country.”
@fed_web3: “The unlawful act by @gtbank for inviting an armed forces to illegally take away @thatverydarkman must be condemn and immediate action to free our Activist should be sanction immediately. Gtb should be ready to lose a lot of customers for their criminality.”
VeryDarkMan arrested again? Police deny, Iyabo Ojo, Ka3na, others react
Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that VeryDarkMan was allegedly arrested by the police for cybercrime and defamation
However, the FCT Police denied the arrest of VDM and claimed he was only invited for questioning.
Iyabo Ojo, Ka3na and others reacted to the alleged arrest.