Deji Adeyanju, lawyer to social media personality and activist Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, has lamented difficulty securing the release of his client from the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
The EFCC, in a statement by its Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, had on Tuesday morning stated that VeryDarkMan had been granted administrative bail but remained in custody pending the fulfilment of his bail conditions.
Oyewale disclosed that Otse was invited for questioning over multiple petitions alleging serious financial crimes.
Oyewale said VDM was arrested after he consistently failed to honour repeated invitations of the EFCC sent to known addresses and through 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.”
Reacting to the EFCC’s statement, Adeyanju, on his social media handles, said his legal team had found it difficult to access the documents detailing the bail conditions for VeryDarkMan.
He stressed that repeated efforts to get the documents were 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.
Addressing circumstances leading to VDM’s arrest in some sections of the social media, Oyewale pointed out that the arrest was legal and not in retaliation to what it described as “unguarded attacks” by the suspect against its operations on social media.
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 show up 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 urged the public to refrain from speculations and allow it to carry out its constitutional responsibilities without interference.
“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. “
On Monday, many protesters besieged the GTB headquarters in Abuja to also call for his release.
His arrest has also drawn condemnation from several incidents, including the Labour Party Presidential candidate for the 2023 election, Peter Obi, lawyers and fans alike.
