BREAKING: EFCC GRANTS VERYDARKMAN ADMINISTRATIVE BAIL, CITES ALLEGED FINANCIAL CRIMES

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has confirmed the arrest of Martins Innocent Otse following multiple petitions alleging serious financial misconduct.

According to the Commission on Tuesday, Otse has now been offered administrative bail and will leave when he fulfills his bail conditions.

The EFCC added that VeryDarkMan repeatedly ignored several invitations sent to his known addresses and communication channels, prompting law enforcement action.

The EFCC stated that the petitions it received detailed grave allegations of financial crimes that warrant thorough investigation.

In a statement released on Tuesday by the agency, the EFCC affirmed its legal right to detain any suspect under investigation and revealed that a valid Remand Order was obtained for Otse’s custody.

According to the agency, he has since been offered administrative bail and will be released upon meeting the conditions.

The statement read, “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,” the statement added.

It was earlier reported that human rights lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, on Monday stated that there was no official petition filed against VeryDarkMan (VDM) as confirmed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), raising questions over the legality of his detention.

Adeyanju, who serves as legal counsel to Otse, had disclosed this after visiting the activist at the EFCC headquarters in Abuja.

He had expressed serious concerns over the agency’s failure to provide justification for the arrest, which he said lacks any legal foundation.

“Got into the country this evening and went straight to VDM at EFCC. Just left him,” Adeyanju said in a statement shared on his social media handles.

“We still cannot understand why he was arrested. EFCC said there’s no petition against him after our repeated demand.”

The activist, known for his controversial commentaries on social issues and public figures in Nigeria, was reportedly picked up at Guarantee Trust Bank in Abuja by EFCC operatives.

Adeyanju, a vocal advocate for civil liberties, accused the EFCC of engaging in what he described as “arbitrary detention” and called for the immediate release of his client.

The EFCC has yet to release an official statement clarifying the circumstances of Otse’s detention. Civil society groups and online commentators have since demanded transparency from the agency, with the hashtag #FreeVDM now trending on Nigerian social media platforms.Nigerian fashion

This is not the first time VDM has found himself in conflict with authorities over his outspoken videos.