Fact-Check: Did Donald Trump Call for the Release of Nigerian Activist VeryDarkMan?
By: Oluwatoyin Hawal Momolosho
Claim:
A viral TikTok video posted by user OmowumiOjewale247 claims that Donald Trump, the President of the United States, called on Nigeria EFCC to release social media activist VeryDarkMan.
In the video, Trump allegedly 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 started 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 term out of power.
Who Is VeryDarkMan?
VeryDarkMan, born Martins Vincent Otse on April 8, 1994, in Kaduna, Nigeria, is a prominent Nigerian activist and social media influencer. Known for his outspoken views on civil and political issues, he rose to fame in 2022 through his commentary on social injustice and his engagement with celebrities and national issues.
Why Was VeryDarkMan Arrested?
On May 2, 2025, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arrested VeryDarkMan following multiple petitions accusing him of financial misconduct and cyberstalking. According to EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale, the arrest was based on allegations submitted by various complainants.
The EFCC secured a valid remand order and later granted him administrative bail, which he met. VeryDarkMan was released on May 7, 2025, after five days in custody. He later stated in a video that he was shocked by the accusations, claiming he had never handled the kind of money associated with money laundering.
His arrest triggered public outcry, with figures such as Peter Obi, Atiku Abubakar, and Davido condemning the EFCC’s actions as an infringement on human rights.
Findings
To verify the authenticity of the video allegedly showing Trump supporting VeryDarkMan, Nigeria News Time consulted an AI video analysis tool. The tool conducted a frame-by-frame analysis of the footage and flagged it with a “Moderate Deepfake Probability.”
Further examination revealed mismatched lip movements, voice synchronization issues, and unnatural speech patterns—strong indicators that the video was artificially generated. No credible U.S. or international news outlet has reported any such statement from President Trump.
Conclusion:
The viral video claiming Donald Trump publicly called for the release of VeryDarkMan is false and AI-generated. There is no evidence that Trump made any statement regarding the Nigerian activist. The video is a clear example of misinformation designed to manipulate public opinion using deepfake technology. Viewers are advised to critically assess sensational content and verify sources before sharing.
