In a dramatic turn of events, GTBank reportedly ordered the arrest of influencer Martins Vincent Otse, aka VeryDarkMan. The move followed his public complaints about alleged unauthorized ₦500,000 debits from his GTBank account. Soon after, widespread outrage erupted online, igniting debates about consumer rights and freedom of speech in Nigeria’s banking sector.
According to sources close to the case, GTBank submitted a formal complaint to the Nigerian Police earlier today. They accused VeryDarkMan of cyberbullying and defamation over viral videos posted on Instagram and TikTok. Notably, those videos quickly amassed millions of views and sparked a boycott campaign against GTBank.
In one video, the influencer stated: “GTBank is untrustworthy. Boycott them now until they refund my money!” Moreover, he claimed the bank failed to resolve his complaints through regular customer service channels.
A GTBank spokesperson defended their actions but requested anonymity while speaking to the press. “We take customer complaints seriously and have robust mechanisms in place to address them,” the spokesperson said. However, the spokesperson added: “Spreading false information that could incite unrest is unacceptable.” As a result, the bank said it asked law enforcement to investigate and take appropriate action.
Yet, GTBank did not disclose further details about the alleged defamation or related charges. They cited an ongoing investigation as the reason for withholding specific information.
VeryDarkMan, a 30-year-old content creator from Abuja, has over 2 million followers across multiple platforms. He’s widely known for exposing corruption, bad service, and other societal issues through social media.
Initially, he said GTBank ignored him after he discovered over ₦500,000 missing from his account. “I woke up to see my money gone, and when I asked questions, they ignored me,” he stated. He added: “Is this how banks treat Nigerians? We deserve better!“
GTBank Faces Backlash After Ordering Arrest of Influencer Over Unauthorized Debit Claims
Shortly after, GTBank’s arrest order raised public concerns about corporate overreach and stifling free speech. Consequently, many Nigerians began sharing similar stories of unresolved unauthorized debits by other banks.
Meanwhile, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has received thousands of such complaints in recent years. Therefore, regulators introduced reforms to address the growing crisis of digital banking fraud.
However, critics now warn that GTBank’s legal actions could discourage public advocacy. Human rights activist Deji Adeyanju tweeted: “This is an attack on free speech. Holding banks accountable shouldn’t lead to arrests.”
VeryDarkMan’s legal team confirmed he has gone into hiding to avoid arrest. They also said he plans to challenge the police action in court soon.
At this time, the Nigerian Police Force has not issued an official statement on the matter. Nonetheless, reports indicate officers are actively searching for the influencer in Abuja.
Meanwhile, the hashtag #FreeVDM is trending, with celebrities and activists joining the public outcry. They have accused GTBank of using intimidation to silence critics instead of addressing customer concerns.
This case reflects ongoing tension between banks and digital influencers in Nigeria. Importantly, social media remains one of the strongest platforms for consumer advocacy in the country.
Previously, GTBank faced backlash over service failures, data breaches, and complaints of poor customer service. Now, many believe this situation could trigger new demands for consumer protection laws from the CBN.
As this story develops, stay tuned to our platform for verified updates and fresh details.
