Martins Otse, the popular Nigerian blogger and social media personality known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), has confirmed the recovery of N78 million out of the N180 million that was allegedly stolen from his NGO account. The recovery comes after a tense period of investigation following the discovery of the breach, which has left many questions unanswered about the integrity of his organization’s financial management and the identity of those involved.
In a post shared on Instagram on Sunday, Otse expressed his relief and gratitude for the ongoing efforts that led to the partial recovery of the stolen funds. He noted that the recovery process was progressing despite the shocking nature of the crime, revealing that N160 million had been diverted to an undisclosed account while the remaining N20 million had been left in the compromised account.
“I want to thank everyone who checked up on me and supported us during this time. With God’s grace, we have been able to recover N78 million. Unfortunately, the person who was involved in this crime has pointed us toward an accomplice who has fled to Ghana,” VDM said in the update.
The blogger’s NGO, which had recently gained attention for its charitable efforts, was rocked by the theft just months after launching the Martins Vincent Osei Initiative. The initiative had garnered widespread praise, raising over N35 million within a matter of hours. This success was followed by a significant contribution of N100 million from music mogul Don Jazzy, heightening the profile of Otse’s charitable work. However, the theft cast a shadow over his achievements and triggered a wave of skepticism.
The alleged theft, which was reported to have occurred shortly after the initiative’s launch, prompted Otse to speak out about the breach on Instagram. According to VDM, the hacker, or group of hackers, accessed the account and diverted a substantial portion of the funds. He also shared that the compromised account had been disconnected from the payment network, effectively cutting off access to the remaining balance. Despite the immediate investigation, the event raised doubts among some members of the public regarding the authenticity of the incident.
The circumstances surrounding the theft also sparked a wider debate about security within nonprofit organizations, especially in the digital age. Many have questioned whether proper security measures were in place to protect large sums of donations. However, Otse maintained his commitment to transparency and vowed to pursue the matter to the fullest extent.
“Thanks to everyone’s support, we’re closer to finding out the truth,” Otse continued in his post. “While we’ve recovered a significant amount, the person responsible for the rest of the money has fled to Ghana. We are not stopping here – the investigation is ongoing, and we are determined to get back every dime.”
The pursuit of the suspect’s accomplice in Ghana adds an international dimension to the case, as Otse has suggested that the collaboration of local authorities across borders may be necessary to fully resolve the issue. He expressed hope that the suspect would be apprehended soon, despite the challenges posed by the fleeing accomplice’s location.
The Nigerian public has been divided on the issue, with some expressing sympathy for Otse, while others have raised questions about the organization’s internal controls and the broader implications for nonprofit financial transparency. Despite these concerns, Otse’s persistence in recovering the stolen funds has garnered support from several quarters, including fans and fellow philanthropists.
“We are all in this together. This is not just my battle but one that we all share in fighting for the future of charitable work in Nigeria,” Otse emphasized.
This unfortunate event has brought to light the growing vulnerabilities that come with the digital handling of funds, especially for NGOs operating in Nigeria. As the investigation continues, many are watching to see how Otse will navigate the crisis and whether more funds will be recovered.
For now, the road ahead seems uncertain, but the determination to retrieve the remaining stolen funds remains steadfast. VDM’s story of recovery is far from over, with authorities in both Nigeria and Ghana working to unravel the full extent of the crime.
