ABUJA, Nigeria — The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) don finally explain wetin make dem arrest popular social media activist, Martins Innocent Otse, wey people sabi as VeryDarkMan (VDM). Dis announcement come on Tuesday, two days after many Nigerians gather for the EFCC office and GTBank branch for Abuja to demand VDM release.
VDM bin catch arrest for Friday last week when EFCC operatives nab am for GTBank location. His detention don cause plenty reactions online from celebrities like former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, and music stars Davido and Rudeboy, wey all call for his immediate release.
Dele Oyewale, the EFCC spokesman, talk say VDM arrest no be because of him social media commentary but because he no honor several invitations wey EFCC send to am after people raise petitions against him for financial crimes. Oyewale emphasize say dem no fit ignore the serious nature of the allegations and dem dey follow law to carry out their investigations.
“Martins Innocent Otse wey dey known as VDM get several petitions against am regarding financial malfeasance. He no come for the invitations wey we send to him, wey go fit help us investigate,” Oyewale explain. “The appropriate remand order don dey obtained, and he go fit gain administrative bail once him fulfill all di conditions.”
The EFCC don acknowledge the public outcry surrounding VDM arrest but insist say their actions no be influenced by his past criticisms. “The EFCC dey appreciate di interest wey Nigerians show for our operations, but we dey implore everyone make dem no jump to conclusions about our motives,” Oyewale add.
A large number of protesters take to di streets of Abuja on Monday morning, carrying placards calling for VDM’s release. They gather for GTBank and EFCC headquarters, insisting say VDM arrest no legal and dem dey demand him freedom.
Demonstrators highlight dia concerns for VDM’s rights and the implications of arresting individuals who speak out against di government. “Dis na fundamental rights issue. How we go allow dem silence our voices? VDM go soon free!” one protester shout.
This na not di first time VDM dey arrested. Last year alone, he face arrest four times, including a case wey see him detained for cyberbullying actresses Tonto Dikeh and Iyabo Ojo.
In February, his legal representative, Deji Adeyanju, accused the EFCC of ambushing VDM during his visit to GTBank, claiming dat he was trapped inside di bank’s exit for over five minutes before dem arrest am. Adeyanju express anger over di treatment meted out to his client and say dem go take legal actions against di bank.
As di EFCC investigation dey continue, dem don assure di public dat dem go file charges against VDM once dem finish dem probe. “We don see di passion wey Nigerians get for our work. We ask for patience as we conclude our investigations,” Oyewale conclude.
