Fact check: Did Donald Trump call for the release of Nigerian activist VeryDarkMan?
By Oluwatoyin Hawal Momolosho
Claim
A viral TikTok video recently posted by user OmowumiOjewale247 alleges that U.S. President Donald Trump called on Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to release social media activist VeryDarkMan. In the clip, Trump supposedly says:
“The Nigeria EFCC should release VeryDarkMan. They should focus on corrupt leaders. VeryDarkMan is a freedom fighter; he never supported any crime. Very soon, all accounts owned by government leaders here in America will be deactivated because they’re using them for money laundering.”
Verdict
False
Who is Donald Trump?
Donald J. Trump is currently serving as the 47th President of the United States, having begun his second term on January 20, 2025. He previously served as the 45th president from 2017 to 2021, making history as the first U.S. president since Grover Cleveland to return to office after a break.
Who is VeryDarkMan?
VeryDarkMan, born Martins Vincent Otse on April 8, 1994, in Kaduna, Nigeria, is a well-known Nigerian activist and social media influencer. He gained prominence in 2022 for his outspoken commentary on social injustice and national issues.
Link to the TikTok video below 👇 https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMBKXB3wq
Why Was He Arrested?
On May 2, 2025, the EFCC arrested VeryDarkMan following multiple petitions accusing him of financial misconduct and cyberstalking. According to EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale, the commission obtained a valid remand order and later granted him administrative bail. He was released on May 7 after five days in custody. In a subsequent video, VeryDarkMan denied the allegations, stating he had never handled large sums associated with money laundering.
The arrest sparked public backlash, with prominent Nigerians including Peter Obi, Atiku Abubakar, and Davido criticizing the EFCC for what they described as a violation of human rights.
Findings
To verify the authenticity of the viral video, Nigeria News Time used an AI video analysis tool. A frame-by-frame inspection revealed mismatched lip movements, voice sync issues, and robotic speech patterns—strong indicators of deepfake manipulation. The video was flagged with a “Moderate Deepfake Probability.”
Moreover, no credible U.S. or international media outlet reported any such statement from President Trump.
Conclusion
The video claiming that President Donald Trump called for the release of VeryDarkMan is false and AI-generated. It is a clear case of misinformation aimed at influencing public opinion using deepfake technology. Viewers are advised to fact-check sensational content and rely on credible sources before sharing.
