Fast-rising Afrobeats artist Deobi has broken his silence about a challenging period in his career, revealing he spent nearly a month in detention with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The detention occurred around the time of the controversy involving social media personality VeryDarkMan. Despite this significant setback, Deobi is now speaking about his comeback and continued success in the music industry.

Deobi, who was signed under Shemen Music in 2023, released his debut single "Understanding Girlfriend" with an accompanying music video that garnered rotation on major music channels. By 2024, he had established a growing presence in the Abuja entertainment scene, performing at notable events and building a reputation as a promising emerging artist. However, his momentum was abruptly halted due to unforeseen circumstances.

According to reports, members of Deobi's team were present at a protest, and shortly thereafter, a seemingly legitimate booking request was received through official channels. The situation escalated, leading to Deobi and his team members being taken into custody by the EFCC. This development brought his burgeoning career to a standstill, and efforts by his legal representatives to secure his release reportedly faced delays.

Human rights lawyer Deji Adeyanju is credited with intervening and playing a role in facilitating Deobi's eventual release. Reflecting on the experience, Deobi described the detention as one of the most difficult periods of his life and career. "It was a very difficult period for me and my team," he stated through his management. "A lot happened very fast, and we found ourselves in a situation we didn't expect. I learned a lot from that experience — about people, about the industry, and about staying focused no matter the circumstances. I don't like to dwell too much on it, but I can say it made me stronger and more determined."

Despite the ordeal, Deobi's career appears to be on an upward trajectory. His recent releases include "All Over You" and its remix, which were both released as singles in 2026 [3, 4, 5]. He continues to release new music, with his latest songs, albums, and mixtapes available on platforms like Audiomack [7].

This period of detention, while challenging, seems to have only fueled Deobi's resolve, as he navigates his comeback and continues to achieve rising success in the competitive Afrobeats music scene [1].