Deji Adeyanju, the legal representative of social media activist Martins Otse, widely known as VeryDarkMan, has expressed frustration over the challenges in securing his client’s release from the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
In a statement released Tuesday by its Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, the EFCC said that VeryDarkMan had been granted administrative bail but was still in custody as he had yet to meet the bail conditions.
Oyewale revealed that Otse was invited for questioning in connection with several petitions accusing him of involvement in serious financial crimes.
Oyewale stated that VeryDarkMan was taken into custody after repeatedly ignoring several invitations from the EFCC, which were sent to verified addresses and through established communication channels.
He said, “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 will be released after fulfilling all the bail conditions.
Otse has been offered administrative bail and would be released after fulfilling all the bail conditions.”
Responding to the EFCC’s statement, Adeyanju stated via his social media platforms that his legal team has faced challenges in obtaining the documents outlining the bail conditions for VeryDarkMan.
He emphasised that multiple attempts to obtain the documents had been unsuccessful.
“Bail granted VDM, social media bail, as we are yet to receive any bail document from the commission. We have made several repeated demands in this regard since yesterday, when we were informed about the decision to grant bail,” Adeyanju said.
Commenting on the circumstances surrounding VDM’s arrest, as discussed on various social media platforms, Oyewale clarified that the arrest was lawful and not a response to what the commission described as the suspect’s “unguarded attacks” on its operations online.
He said, “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 showup despite 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.”
He called on the public to avoid speculation and allow the commission to carry out its constitutional duties without obstruction.
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.”
