Nigeria’s financial crime police, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has confirmed apprehending famous critic Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as Verydarkman (VDM).
The EFCC confirmed VDM’s arrest hours after its spokesperson had affirmed the activist’s detention to BBC News Pidgin.
OSG recalls reporting when the EFCC’s spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, had affirmed the arrest to BBC News Pidgin on Monday, May 5, 2025.
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Dele Oyewale noted during his chat with Gift Andrew that they arrested the activist based on petitions from certain complainants who had concerns against VDM.
“We arrest am to respond to a series of allegations raised against am by some petitioners,” Oyewale stated.
When BBC Pidgin enquired if the petitions were tied to GTBank, he said they were from different people, and it was the petitioners’ responsibility to preserve them.
He added: “We go release am wen e meet di bail conditions, and we go carry di case go court as soon as possible, we dey law-abiding”.
In a statement released on their official social media handle, the agency confirmed that the activist was arrested in Abuja. Read the full statement released below:
EFCC’s Case against Martins Vincent Otse
“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 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.”
Reactions trail EFCC’s statement about VDM’s arrest
OSG compiled various comments on the trending issue.
READ ALSO: Portable Pleads With EFCC And GTbank To Free ‘His Friend’ VeryDarkMan
See them below:
@ologomedia:
“Multiple petition wey pass Yaya Bello own? Chai my country my country?.”
@sarahinneh:
“This is just oppression 😢 they’ve said 5 different reasons for his arrest it’s obvious there’s more to it.”
@happiness_vic:
“Can’t they mention the petition 🙄, I sha know it can’t be a fraudulent act, VDM is the only activist with integrity 👌.”
@postopaul336:
“Please someone balance me quick, is EFCC no longer in charge of financial crimes? Is EFCC also charged with the duty of cyber stocking and defamatory utterances now? Naija is finished.”
@kennedy10752:
“Na EFCC work now to arrest people based on petition, what’s then the work of the police?”
@afreindofgod:
“In a sane country before you make an arrest you’ you read the petition or the crime committed by the person, then give them the option to remain silent or contact a lawyer, if your crime are not read to you before your arrest the judge has the right to rule out all the charges against you. But in Nigeria you get kidnapped to an unknown location without knowing your crimes with no rights to a lawyer, then they release a press statement to the media.”
@realjoshblaze:
“You see the power we have just because we unite and speak up, now they are scared.. if we fit unite forget tribalism and religion, this country will definitely get better.”
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