Man Who Was VeryDarkMan's Neighbour Years Ago Shares Their Old Pictures, Opens Up on How He Behaved

• A Nigerian youth has disclosed on social media that he and Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, were neighbours in Abuja years ago
• The man released old pictures taken with the controversial social commentator in the past and spoke about his behaviour when they lived near each other
• Many people shared their observations about VeryDarkMan, who was in the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission's custody until recently

Victor Sunday, a Nigerian man, has said that he and VeryDarkMan were formerly neighbours years back in Abuja.

He stated this in a Facebook post while demanding the release of the outspoken critic after the EFCC arrested him.

VeryDarkMan's neighbour discusses his past behaviour

The man posted old pictures taken with VeryDarkMan in the past, saying he had always been a defender.

According to him, the social commentator fought for the bullied then and shared the nickname he was given.

"I & VDM were neighbours those days in Abuja & the guy has always been a defender. He is someone that fights for you when you are being bullied. WE KNOW HIM AS BLAQ THOUGH SOCIAL CALL HIM VDM."

Reactions trail old pictures of VeryDarkMan

Legit.ng has compiled some of the reactions to VDM's professed neighbour talking about their past together.

Uyohambitious Friday Realitytv said:

"Mr Presido you and singlet na 5 n 6....na to customize Better expensive singlet for my president de hungry me 🙏🙏🙏."

James Ibangs said:

"That's my Nigerian president come 2027..Ratel political Party... Ratels family please let's move this motion..."

Amaka Ohuakanwa said:

"My president don like singlet since o, people wey dey show VDM wickedness shae una don see say no be today him don start to help people."

Keleyon Offong said:

"Omo then this guy no too tall..o."

Blessed Tari said:

"He likes wearing singlet long time ago, and those beeds too, vdm is for a reason, God bless him continually 🙏🙏."

Ohiare Grace Maryam said:

"I dey imagine VDM stubbornness for kid ooo chai his parents try for the training both mum and dad."

Sunday S Gagara said:

"So e don tey wey him dey wear singlet and him African necklace, earnestly VDM is promising no two ways about it."

Lee Ya Su said:

"VDM is the major example of never judge a man by their appearance but upstairs🧠💯."

Blessed Tari said:

"He likes wearing singlet long time ago, and those beeds too, vdm is for a reason, God bless him continually."

VDM was released from EFCC custody on May 9 and almost immediately took to social media with a series of videos.

‘It takes maturity, commitment to stay consistent’ – Expert

A media and communications expert, Emmanuel Kayode Ofei, praised VDM's commitment to public issues.

He said:

"It takes a high level of maturity and commitment to public issues to be able to do what he is doing.”

Times VeryDarkMan helped people

VDM became popular when he called out a skincare brand for selling unapproved products. That singular exposé would be the start of his many acts of activism online.

The social activist has used his platform to help victims retrieve money from fraudsters. A case in point was a Chinese man who narrated how he assisted him in getting his money from a person who had duped him.

In 2025, VDM made a philanthropic gesture by renovating a school in Delta to enable conducive learning for students. Also, he had contributed immensely to the building of boreholes in many northern communities.

Challenges VeryDarkMan had faced

The social activist was arrested in 2024 for alleged cyberbullying. Following the arrest, VDM said that "Tonto Dikeh is threatening to take my life". VDM was, however, released after a few days.

He once talked about having eye problems as a result of his prolonged screen time from reading messages from people who wanted help.

In a related story, Legit.ng reported that a man had shared an observation about VeryDarkMan's brother.

Blogger mentions things VeryDarkMan should buy

Meanwhile, Legit.ng previously reported that a blogger had highlighted certain things that VeryDarkMan should buy upon regaining his freedom.

His words came when online outrage and physical protests against VDM's arrest had peaked, following his arrest on May 2, at the GTBank Abuja premises.

In a Facebook post, the blogger said VeryDarkMan needed to have his social media accounts logged into various phones handed to associates and family.

Joseph Omotayo, the HoD of the Human Interest Desk, contributed to this report, adding some of the good things VDM did and the challenges he had faced.

Editorial assistant Ololade Olatimehin provided exclusive commentary from a media and communications expert for this report.

Proofreading by Kola Muhammed, copy editor at Legit.ng.

Source: Legit.ng