EFCC Yet to Speak on Arrested Social Activist, VeryDarkMan, 24 Hours After

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is yet to speak on the arrested social commentator Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan was arrested on Friday after visiting a Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB) branch in Abuja.

The arrest occurred in the presence of his mother and his friend, Stephen Avuara. 

More than 24 hours later, the EFCC has remained silent about the reasons for the arrest.

Lawyers representing the detainees said that they had not received details of the allegations. 

Prior to the arrest, VeryDarkMan had posted a video reporting suspicious withdrawals from his mother, Blessing Otse’s, bank account.

He and Avuara accompanied her to the bank in Garki, Area 3, to file a complaint. 

At 1:19 PM on Friday, lawyer Deji Adeyanju alerted the public about the arrest. A legal team from Adeyanju’s firm was dispatched to the EFCC headquarters in Abuja to assist the detainees.

However, the agency only provided a magistrate-issued arrest warrant without disclosing specific allegations. 

According to a statement by legal practitioner Zainab Otega, EFCC officers, led by Mr. Chukwu, attempted to interrogate Avuara about his relationship with VeryDarkMan but refused to state the allegations against him.

The lawyers protested the lack of transparency, citing a violation of Avuara’s constitutional rights, before leaving the interrogation room. 

On Saturday, Marvin Omorogbe, one of the lawyers involved, confirmed that the EFCC had still not clarified the reason for the arrest.

“The only document shown to us was an arrest warrant for alleged cyberstalking,” Omorogbe said. 

GT Bank has not commented on its possible role in the arrest, fueling speculation that the bank may have prompted the EFCC’s action.

EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale could not be reached for comment at the time of reporting.

About The Author