By OBSERVERS TIMES
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has confirmed the arrest of Martins Innocent Otse, widely known as VeryDarkMan, stating it followed multiple petitions alleging serious financial misconduct, OBSERVERS TIMES has learned. The anti-graft agency announced on Tuesday that Otse has been offered administrative bail and will be released upon fulfilling the stipulated conditions.
According to the EFCC, as reported by OBSERVERS TIMES, VeryDarkMan repeatedly ignored several invitations extended to him through his known addresses and communication channels, which necessitated law enforcement action. The Commission emphasized that the petitions received detailed grave allegations of financial crimes that warrant a thorough investigation, OBSERVERS TIMES gathered.
In a statement released by the agency and obtained by OBSERVERS TIMES, the EFCC affirmed its legal right to detain any suspect under investigation and confirmed that a valid Remand Order was obtained for Otse’s custody. The agency reiterated that administrative bail has been granted, and his release is contingent upon meeting the bail terms.
The EFCC’s statement, as seen by OBSERVERS TIMES, read in part: “The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, in the exercise of its mandate of tackling economic and financial crimes, invited Martins Innocent Otse owing to a series of petitions bordering on sundry issues of alleged financial crimes raised against him. He refused to show up in spite of several invitations sent to him through his known addresses and medium of communication. The petitions pertain to grave allegations of financial malfeasance which cannot be ignored by the Commission.”
The statement, also noted by OBSERVERS TIMES, addressed VeryDarkMan’s criticisms of the agency: “It is needful to admit that the Commission is aware of several unguarded attacks of the suspect against its operations. While such conduct is condemnable, his arrest was not informed by such attacks. The relevant law enforcement agency will be allowed to look into them.”
The EFCC defended its actions, stating, as per information received by OBSERVERS TIMES, “The EFCC has a lawful right to hold Otse in custody like any other suspect being investigated by the Commission. The appropriate Remand Order was obtained in this regard. He has been offered an administrative bail and would be released after fulfilling all the bail conditions.”
The agency concluded by appealing for understanding: “The Commission appreciates the interest of Nigerians in its operations… However, insinuations about its motive in carrying out its assignment should no longer continue. The EFCC should be allowed to do its job without fear or favour. As soon as investigations are concluded, charges will be filed,” the statement conveyed to OBSERVERS TIMES added.
This development follows earlier reports by SaharaReporters, which OBSERVERS TIMES also monitored, quoting human rights lawyer Deji Adeyanju, counsel to Otse, who stated on Monday that the EFCC had confirmed no official petition was filed against VeryDarkMan, raising questions about the legality of his detention. Adeyanju expressed concerns over the agency’s failure to provide justification for the arrest, as reported by SaharaReporters and noted by OBSERVERS TIMES.
“Got into the country this evening and went straight to VDM at EFCC. Just left him,” Adeyanju stated, a quote also carried by SaharaReporters and reviewed by OBSERVERS TIMES. “We still cannot understand why he was arrested. EFCC said there’s no petition against him after our repeated demand.”
VeryDarkMan, known for his outspoken commentaries on social issues, was reportedly apprehended at a Guarantee Trust Bank in Abuja by EFCC operatives, a detail also highlighted by SaharaReporters and observed by OBSERVERS TIMES. Adeyanju had condemned the arrest as “arbitrary detention” and called for his immediate release, a stance reported by SaharaReporters and noted by OBSERVERS TIMES.
The detention sparked reactions from civil society groups and online commentators, with the hashtag #FreeVDM trending on social media platforms, a development also tracked by OBSERVERS TIMES.
This is not VeryDarkMan’s first encounter with authorities. Previously, the Public Interest Lawyers League (PILL) had condemned his arrest by the EFCC, a prior incident also reported by SaharaReporters and noted by OBSERVERS TIMES.
