Grants Activist Administrative Bail
- Safiu Kehinde
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has officially opened up on the arrest and detention of Nigerian social media influencer and activist, Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan.
This is coming hours after denying a statement reportedly made by its spokesperson, Dele Oyewale.
NPO Reported that the EFCC’s spokesperson had yesterday, according to BBC Pidgin, claimed that the activist was arrested on account of multiple petitions filed against him.
The anti-graft agency would dismiss the claims, labelling the BBC Pidgin’s report as fake.
However, the EFCC, in an official statement issued on its X handle on Tuesday, confirmed the arrest and detention of Verydarkman.
As against initial claims of been arrested over alleged cyber stalking, the EFCC disclosed that he was arrested over series of petition bordering on alleged financial crimes.
Recall that Verydarkman was reportedly apprehended at a Garki branch of Guarantee Trust Bank (GTBank) in Abuja by a group of armed operatives confirmed to be EFCC officials.
He was allegedly locked in the bank’s security door before the arrival of the EFCC officials who whisked him away alongside his friend.
The EFCC, in defense of his arrest, claimed to have earlier issued several invitations to the activist which he allegedly turned down.
While maintaining that his arrest was not borne out of his criticisms of the commission, the EFCC held that it had the right to hold Verydarkman in custody like any other suspect.
It, however disclosed that he had been issued an administrative bail and will be released when the requirements are fulfilled.
The statement 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.
“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 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 Commission appreciates the interest of Nigerians in its operations. The passion, enthusiasm and torrential reactions to all of its activities are welcome. 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.”