*Granted Bail, May Regain Freedom Soon
*It’s Social Media Bail, Can’t Access Documents, Says Lawyer
*To Be Charged After Investigation
THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has disclosed that its operatives arrested social media activist, Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM) sfter he repeatedly shunned invitations.
Recall that VDM was arrested last week outside a Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB) premises in Abuja by operatives of the Commission, initially thought to be from the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and for undisclosed reason.
He had gone to the bank to seek clarifications over alleged unexplained deductions from his mother’s account, and because of circumstances surrounding incident, it was initially reported that its was the bank that invited the Police to arrest him, ostensibly in connection with the account enquiries.
But EFCC, in a statement on its social media handles on Tuesday, April 6, said it arrested VDM over a series of petitions bordering on sundry issues of alleged financial crimes raised against him.
The Commission stated that it was aware of several unguarded attacks of VDM against its operations, adding that while such conduct is condemnable, that was not the basis for his arrest.
According to the statement: “The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), in the exercise of its mandate of tackling economic and financial crimes, invited Martins Innocent 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.”
It was gathered that due to pressures from different quarters, the Commission might free VDM once he fulfils the bail conditions, while the anti-graft agency prepares to charge him to court before weekend.
His lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, who had earlier confirmed VDM’s arrest by a team of policemen along with his friend, C. Park.
Following the incident, some youths on Monday, May 5, protested through the streets of Abuja, marching from EFCC headquarters to GTB premises, bearing placards with inscriptions, such as ‘Release Very Dark Man,’ and among others.
The protesters described his arrest and detention as illegal, demanding transparency from the authorities, even as they vowed to take their grievance to the Nigerian Human Rights Commission (NHRC) in Maitama area of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Adeyanju lamented difficulty securing the release of his client from EFCC custody, despite the bail, saying his legal team had found it difficult to access the documents detailing the bail conditions for VDM.
He bemoaned that repeated efforts to get the documents were unsuccessful, adding: “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.”
