Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has defended the arrest and detention of popular activist and social media influencer, Martins Vincent Otse, widely known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), stating that it acted under the law as it got a court order.
In a statement posted on its X handle on Tuesday, the anti-graft agency said Otse was arrested following petitions alleging grave financial misconduct.
According to the EFCC, Otse repeatedly failed to honour invitations sent to him through his known addresses and communication channels, prompting his eventual 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. He refused to show up in spite of several invitations,” the statement read.
While acknowledging reactions to the arrest, the Commission insisted it had obtained the appropriate Remand Order and had a legal right to keep Otse in custody.
“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 EFCC said.
The agency added that Otse had been offered administrative bail and would be released once he meets the stipulated conditions.
It further assured the public that charges would be filed against the activist once investigations were concluded.
“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 added.