From Street Activism to Financial Scrutiny
VeryDarkMan (VDM) has found himself at the center of yet another national controversy after details of an alleged petition submitted to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) surfaced online, calling for a forensic investigation into his finances and those of his lawyer, Deji Adeyanju.
The petition quickly became one of Nigeria's most talked-about political stories because it came only weeks after VDM intensified his nationwide criticism of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's administration over insecurity, governance, and preparations for the 2027 elections.
To many observers, the timing was impossible to ignore.
The Petition
According to a petition dated June 17, 2026, legal practitioner Blessing Agbomhere, principal partner at Blessing Agbomhere & Partners, requested that the EFCC investigate the financial activities, sponsorship arrangements, advocacy campaigns, media engagements, protests, and public mobilization efforts of both VeryDarkMan and human rights lawyer Deji Adeyanju.
The petition reportedly argued that because the duo had organised several high-profile protests and nationwide advocacy campaigns, the anti-graft agency should determine whether their activities were being financed through legitimate means.
It also requested that investigators examine:
• Bank accounts
• Company records
• Corporate affiliations
• Asset ownership
• Sources of funding
• Possible money laundering
• Tax compliance
• Potential illicit financial flows
Importantly, the petition did not declare either VDM or Adeyanju guilty of any offence. Instead, it requested an investigation, arguing that greater transparency would strengthen public confidence.
Why This Happened Now
The petition did not emerge in isolation.
In the weeks leading up to it, VeryDarkMan had become one of the loudest critics of the Federal Government.
His activities included:
• Leading the "Save Our Children" campaign following the kidnapping of schoolchildren and teachers in Oyo State.
• Organising protests demanding stronger action against bandits and kidnappers.
• Visiting the Nigerian Air Force headquarters to demand intensified military operations.
• Calling for nationwide voter registration ahead of the 2027 elections.
• Urging Nigerians to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).
• Publicly declaring that President Tinubu should be voted out if citizens wanted meaningful change.
• Accusing members of the presidential media team of attempting to silence dissent.
The rapid growth of these campaigns significantly expanded VDM's influence beyond celebrity commentary into national political activism.
VDM Fires Back
Reacting on Instagram after the petition surfaced online, VDM dismissed the allegations and accused members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of attempting to intimidate him through legal and institutional pressure.
According to him, the petition was politically motivated rather than evidence-based.
He alleged that its real objective was to portray his civic campaigns as suspicious simply because they had attracted large numbers of Nigerians.
VDM stated:
He further claimed that authorities were uncomfortable with the size and organisation of recent protests and voter awareness campaigns.
According to him:
VDM also identified the petitioner as Blessing Agbomhere, who he claimed comes from the Etsako Local Government Area of Edo State, the same local government area as his own family background.
Deji Adeyanju's Role
The inclusion of activist lawyer Deji Adeyanju also drew significant attention.
Adeyanju has represented VDM in several high-profile legal battles involving government agencies, public officials, and influential personalities.
His involvement in many of VDM's court matters has made him one of the activists' closest legal allies.
Because of this relationship, many supporters viewed the petition as targeting not only VDM but also those providing him legal representation.
Politics or Accountability?
The controversy immediately divided public opinion.
Supporters of the petition argued that anyone involved in large-scale fundraising, advocacy, or nationwide mobilisation should be financially transparent.
Others countered that requesting an investigation is not the same as establishing wrongdoing and that the EFCC should independently evaluate any allegations based on evidence.
Meanwhile, VDM's supporters viewed the development as part of a broader attempt to discourage outspoken critics of the government.
As of the time of writing, the allegations remain at the petition stage, and no court has found either VeryDarkMan or Deji Adeyanju guilty of any offence in connection with the claims.
A New Phase in VDM's Journey
For years, VeryDarkMan was primarily known for exposing celebrity scandals and online fraud.
Today, his focus has increasingly shifted toward:
• Government accountability
• Electoral participation
• National security
• Civic education
• Public protests
• Anti-corruption advocacy
With that transition has come greater public attention and greater political scrutiny.
Whether the alleged EFCC petition represents routine accountability or political pressure remains one of the biggest questions currently dominating discussions around VDM.