The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has confirmed the arrest of controversial social media personality, Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), following multiple petitions alleging financial crimes.
In a statement released via its official X (formerly Twitter) handle on Tuesday, the Commission disclosed that Otse repeatedly ignored several invitations to respond to serious allegations levelled against him. The EFCC noted that his refusal to honour the invitations necessitated his arrest.
“Despite several invitations sent to him through his known addresses and medium of communication, he refused to show up.”
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“The petitions pertain to grave allegations of financial malfeasance which cannot be ignored by the Commission,” the statement read
While acknowledging VDM’s recent social media outbursts and criticisms targeting the Commission’s operations, the EFCC insisted that his arrest was not influenced by his comments.
“The Commission is aware of several unguarded attacks of the suspect against its operations,” the statement noted. “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.”
Reaffirming its legal authority, the Commission said a valid Remand Order was secured to keep VDM in custody and that he has already been offered administrative bail pending the fulfillment of necessary conditions.
“The EFCC has a lawful right to hold Otse in custody like any other suspect being investigated,” it said.
The Commission further called on the public to allow it to carry out its mandate without undue interference. “The EFCC should be allowed to do its job without fear or favour,” the agency emphasized. “As soon as investigations are concluded, charges will be filed.”
The arrest of VDM has stirred wide reactions online, with some supporters alleging political motivation while others welcome the development as a long-overdue step in holding online influencers accountable.
