Victor EzejaThe Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) says Martins Innocent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, has been granted an administrative bail and would be released after fulfilling the bail conditions. The Commission had earlier confirmed his arrest
The anti-graft agency said its operatives arrested VeryDarkMan following multiple petitions against him alleging serious financial misconduct.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelIn a statement released on Tuesday, EFCC claimed that it had invited VeryDarkarkMan for questioning over a series of petitions against him bordering on alleged financial crimes, but he refused to honour the invitation to leading to his forceful arrest.
“The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), in the exercise of its mandate of tackling economic and financial crimes, invited Martins Vincent Otse owing to a series of petitions bordering on sundry issues of alleged financial crimes raised against him,” Part of the statement read.
“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.”
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VeryDarkMan, who is also a rights activist, was arrested shortly after he went to a bank in Abuja with his mother to inquire about her account.
The arrest and detention of the popular activist sparked reactions as Nigerians, especially youths who are his fans embarked on protest, calling for his release. They accused the EFCC of being used to victimise the activist.
Presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 election, Mr Peter Obi, also condemned the manner in which VeryDarkMan was arrested.
However, the EFCC stated that it has the lawful right to hold VeryDarkMan in custody like any other suspect being investigated 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 stated.
EFCC further stated that it should be allowed to do its job and warned Nigerians against making insinuations about the agency’s motives.
“The EFCC should be allowed to do its job without fear or favour. As soon as investigations are concluded, charges will be filed,” it added.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with seven years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Master's degree in Mass Communication.
