More than 24 hours after controversial social media critic, Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM) was arrested by operatives of Economic and financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), no update has been given on the reason he was taken into custody.
VDM was arrested on Friday at the premises of Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank) in Abuja.
It is not clear if the arrest stemmed from his recent public criticism of GTBank over alleged unauthorised withdrawals from his mother’s account. The EFCC has yet to make any statement as regards the arrest, fueling speculations that his offence was probably cyberstalking against the bank or even the commission. VDM had alleged in the past that majority of the agency’s operatives are corrupt.
On X, Nigerians have lampooned the EFCC for keeping mute on VDM’s arrest.
@HonShield said: “In a country of humans, there’ll have been an official statement as to the arrest of Very Dark Man by now. Don’t ask me if Nigeria is a country.”
@YeleSowore said: “It has been established that the @officialEFCC unlawfully arrested and detained Martins Vincent Otse aka VDM, as a means to silence him for accusing the agency and its leaders of corruption and malfeasance. The @officialEFCC is currently exploring legal avenues to charge him in court, possibly tomorrow, in an attempt to legitimize their actions.
“Nevertheless, it is essential to state unequivocally that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission
@officialEFCC does not possess the authority to prosecute individuals for criminal defamation, criminal libel, or cybercrime, as these are torts that are typically addressed through civil lawsuits. As a result, the EFCC must release VDM immediately.”
@OurFavOnlineDoc said: “VDM was reportedly arrested and detained by EFCC for “cyber stalking”? What kind of lawless country is this? This is not right. This is injustice. This is blatant misuse of power. EFCC has NO right to arrest anyone for cyberstalking. EFCC is for financial crimes, not cyberstalking. I don’t like VDM. I’m no fan of VDM. But you don’t need to like someone to speak up for them when they suffer injustice. Shame on the EFCC.”
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