Written by Osho Oluwatosin Since Friday, when self-described Nigerian activist Martins Vincent, popularly known as Very Dark Man, was arrested, the internet has been essentially on fire. According to reports, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arrested him for unspecified reasons.
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Although the EFCC, a government agency independent of any private organisation, has previously arrested VeryDarkMan and other well-known Nigerians, some Nigerians appear to be fervently attempting to spread the myth that Guarantee Trust Holding Company (GTCO), one of the country’s largest financial institutions, was responsible for his arrest. This story isn’t entirely implausible, either, as VDM had chastised the bank for making “mysterious” and unreasonable withdrawals from his mother’s bank account.
He went to the Abuja branch of the bank to file a formal complaint, and the EFCC then took him up. However, many Nigerians are unaware that GTCO might not have even been engaged in his arrest. VeryDarkMan was spotted in the bank, all fine, but when he was done, he was observed leaving the bank in a CCTV that the bank made public. Before he was detained, he even had a celebrity moment with some of his supporters who snapped pictures with him.
What is the connection between GTB and his arrest, I wonder? Does the fact that someone was struck by a car after leaving church imply that the accident was planned by the church? Does the fact that someone was attacked after leaving a lecture hall imply that the lecturer planned it? Does the fact that someone was ever attacked in a courtroom imply that the judge planned it? Not at all.
However, it would have been preferable if the EFCC had stepped out to clarify the reason behind VDM’s detention, as speculations are sure to flourish in the absence of information. Actually, the commission ought to have issued a statement about these rumours to alert Nigerians, not to defend GTB. Let’s even consider it rationally: what justifies GTCO ordering the EFCC to arrest VDM? Was he dishonest with GTCO? Was a GTB customer the victim of theft? Did he use a GTB account to launder money? Before making judgements, these are the kinds of questions that need to be answered.
People who commit major crimes, however, get away with everything as long as they participate in activism or charity since Nigerians are constantly impassioned about such matters.
The bank paid a record dividend of N8 per share in 2024 alone, and GTCO has always been a very amiable company. Who is Very Dark Man? The bank, stockholders, and customers are all delighted. Nigerian journalist Osho Oluwatosin works out of Lagos.
