The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has granted administrative bail to Martins Innocent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, following his arrest last Friday, May 2, 2025. VeryDarkMan, a well-known social media influencer and outspoken critic of social and political issues, was taken into custody after multiple petitions were filed against him alleging various financial crimes and cyberstalking. The EFCC stated that Otse had repeatedly refused to respond to several invitations sent to him through known communication channels, prompting his arrest. In a statement issued Tuesday, the EFCC clarified that the arrest was not related to his criticisms of the commission but was based on serious allegations of financial malfeasance that could not be ignored. The commission also emphasized that it acted within the law, having obtained the necessary remand order, and that Otse would be released once he meets bail conditions. The arrest sparked public outcry and protests, including demonstrations at a Guaranty Trust Bank branch in Abuja, where some speculated a connection to his complaints about unauthorized deductions from his mother’s account. However, EFCC officials confirmed that the petitions came from various individuals and that the agency is duty-bound to investigate all complaints. Otse’s legal team is actively working to secure his release, and the EFCC has indicated that charges will be filed once investigations conclude. The commission urged Nigerians to avoid speculation and allow it to carry out its constitutional duties without interference.
EFCC grants administrative bail to social media activist VeryDarkMan amid financial crime allegations
TVC news launches Nigeria’s first AI multilingual news anchors
TVC News has become the first Nigerian broadcaster to introduce artificial intelligence (AI) news anchors that deliver news bulletins in five major local languages. The AI anchors, launched in May 2025, present news in English, Yoruba, Hausa, Igbo, and Pidgin, aiming to expand the station’s reach across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones. The AI anchors are designed to complement human journalists, helping the station deliver news more quickly and to a wider, linguistically diverse audience. Victoria Ajayi, CEO of TVC Communications, said the AI anchors mark a significant milestone for Nigerian broadcasting. “Our AI news anchors will enable us to take our news coverage to the next level as we showcase our commitment to leveraging technology to drive growth using innovation,” she said. To address concerns about misinformation and deepfakes, TVC News has implemented strict editorial controls. All AI-generated content will be reviewed by human editors and will comply with the Nigerian Broadcasting Code. The company also uses digital watermarking to ensure content integrity. This move highlights a growing trend among African newsrooms to use AI and automation to scale content delivery and better serve audiences in their native languages, meeting the demand for timely and reliable information.
NDPC partners with Mastercard to boost Nigeria’s data protection capacity
The Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) has signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with global payments leader Mastercard to strengthen data protection capabilities across Nigeria. The agreement was formalized last Friday during a one-day intensive workshop held in Abuja, where 150 Data Protection Officers (DPOs) received hands-on training on conducting Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIAs). This partnership marks a step toward advancing Nigeria’s data governance framework in line with Section 28 of the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDPA), which mandates a risk-based approach to safeguarding personal data. Dr. Vincent Olatunji, National Commissioner of the NDPC, emphasized the critical role of human capital in the country’s evolving data ecosystem. He revealed that the commission aims to train 250,000 certified Data Protection Officers annually to deepen compliance with data privacy regulations nationwide. “We are targeting to build the capacity of 250,000 DPOs annually, and we are working with partners like Mastercard to achieve that,” Dr. Olatunji said. He described Nigeria’s data environment as “new” and “emerging,” underscoring the urgent need for upskilling professionals to meet the demands of a rapidly digitizing economy. “Human capital is really key to us. The ecosystem we are regulating is very special-it is still new, still emerging, and we need all we can to build the capacity of officers,” he added. Dr. Olatunji encouraged participants to fully leverage the training opportunity to enhance their skills in protecting Nigeria’s digital space. Mastercard’s Deputy Chief Privacy Officer, Derek Ho, highlighted the importance of collaboration in building trust within the digital economy. He pledged Mastercard’s support through technical expertise, strategic guidance, and global best practices to help Nigeria develop a robust, secure, and responsible data infrastructure. “Sharing ideas and working together will strengthen trust in the digital economy era,” Ho said during the workshop. Nigeria’s data protection landscape has seen remarkable growth in recent years, reflecting the country’s digital ambitions and stronger regulatory enforcement. The NDPC projects the sector will generate N13.8 billion in revenue in 2025, a 15% increase from N12 billion in 2024. This growth is driven by a rising number of Data Protection Compliance Organisations (DPCOs) and expanding demand for compliance services nationwide. The commission has demonstrated its enforcement resolve by collecting over N400 million in sanctions from companies for various data breaches as of June 2024. It has conducted more than 1,000 investigations across sectors such as financial services and digital lending platforms. Starting in 2025, the NDPC plans to impose heavier fines on data controllers and processors who violate the NDPA. The 2024 NDPC Annual Report also revealed that 23,000 jobs were created in the data protection industry last year alone, a 127% increase from 10,123 jobs in 2023. The number of verified Data Protection Officers rose to 2,888 in 2024 from 1,955 the previous year.
Benue state launches solar-powered taxi fleet to slash transport costs and create 8,500 Jobs
The Benue State Government has launched a pioneering fleet of solar-powered electric taxis aimed at reducing transport costs, promoting eco-friendly mobility, and creating up to 8,500 jobs by December 2025. This initiative, in partnership with Esse Mobility, marks Nigeria’s first commercial solar taxi system and is part of the state’s commitment to sustainable development and clean energy transition. The pilot phase began in Makurdi, the state capital, with plans to expand to other cities including Otukpo and Vandeikya. Each vehicle runs entirely on solar power, with batteries charged by sunlight, enabling efficient urban operation. The taxis are equipped with advanced security features such as real-time monitoring, geofencing, and CCTV to ensure passenger safety and accountability. Esse Mobility’s founder, Mr. Okey Esse, highlighted that the rollout will include 500 units by year-end and aims to establish vehicle assembly plants in Benue, further boosting job creation in manufacturing, maintenance, operations, and charging infrastructure. The Managing Director of Benue Investment and Property Company (BIPC), Dr. Raymond Asemakaha, emphasized the project’s role in reducing fossil fuel dependence, cutting carbon emissions, and improving the state’s GDP by tackling youth unemployment. BIPC’s Head of Business Development, Mrs. Theresa Abeda, noted the transformative potential of the electric taxi scheme on Benue’s metropolitan transit system.
IGP recovers N6 billion in fraud-linked assets, secures 60-day extension to freeze 2,039 bank accounts under investigation
The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, has announced the recovery of properties valued at N6 billion from suspects linked to a massive fraud and money laundering scheme involving over 2,000 bank accounts across Nigeria. The ongoing investigation centers on an alleged N21.4 billion fraud, with 2,039 bank accounts frozen following a March 4 court order. These accounts, spread over 56 financial institutions, are suspected of being used to disguise the origin and ownership of illicit funds through companies and cronies. Audu Garba, Legal Officer of the Force Intelligence Department, told the Federal High Court in Abuja that the police have arrested several suspects who have made confessional statements implicating themselves and others. The investigation is still active, with the police seeking to prevent suspects from liquidating funds prematurely. Garba requested a 60-day extension of the freezing order to allow the police to complete their inquiries and ensure effective prosecution. Justice Obiora Egwatu granted the extension, emphasizing the need to preserve the status quo and prevent the dissipation of assets. The investigation continues as authorities work to identify additional individuals involved in the scheme and trace the flow of funds.
French police rescue kidnapped crypto millionaire’s father in night raid
French police have successfully rescued the father of a wealthy cryptocurrency entrepreneur after he was kidnapped and held for ransom in a violent ordeal that shocked Paris and highlighted a growing trend of attacks on digital asset figures. The victim, a man in his 50s whose identity has not been made public, was abducted Thursday morning in the city’s 14th arrondissement. Four masked men bundled him into a waiting van in broad daylight, according to police sources. The kidnappers demanded a ransom of between €5 million and €7 million ($5.7 million to $7.9 million) from his son, a crypto millionaire who runs a digital asset management company in Malta. During his two-day captivity, the assailants severed one of the victim’s fingers and sent a video of the injury to his son, threatening further mutilation if their demands were not met. Fears for the victim’s safety prompted a swift response from law enforcement. On Saturday night, police traced the kidnappers to a residence in Essonne, a suburb south of Paris, using mobile phone signals. In a coordinated raid, officers stormed the property, freeing the victim and arresting five suspects, all in their 20s. Four were apprehended at or near the house, while the fifth was caught driving a vehicle believed to have been used in the abduction. The victim was given medical attention for his injuries. Authorities have not disclosed further details about his condition, but the brutality of the attack has drawn widespread condemnation. French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau praised the “exceptional work” of the investigators in a statement posted to social media. This incident marks the third high-profile kidnapping targeting France’s cryptocurrency sector in 2025 alone. In January, David Balland, co-founder of the crypto wallet company Ledger, was abducted alongside his wife and suffered a similar injury before being rescued by police. Another case earlier this year involved the attempted extortion of a Dubai-based crypto influencer’s family. Police say the latest victim and his son had previously received threats, underscoring the heightened risks facing high-profile crypto entrepreneurs and their families. The investigation is ongoing, with suspects facing charges including kidnapping, torture, and extortion. Authorities warn that the visibility and wealth associated with the cryptocurrency industry are making its figures increasingly vulnerable to targeted attacks, and have pledged to intensify efforts to combat this disturbing trend.