The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has officially broken its silence on the arrest of a social media critic Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan.
The anti-graft agency confirmed VeryDarkMan’s arrest in a press statement issued on Tuesday.
According to the statement, VeryDarkMan’s arrest came after the EFCC had sent invitations to him over multiple petitions levelled against him.
The EFCC accused VeryDarkMan of allegedly failing to honour the invitations, prompting its operatives to arrest and detain him for questioning over the petitions.
In the statement, EFCC added that VeryDarkMan had been offered administrative bail and would be released after he met the bail conditions.
The statement reads: “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.
“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.”
Pan-Atlantic Kompass reports that this comes after VeryDarkMan’s arrest has ignited a firestorm of controversy, condemning the EFCC’s actions as an attempt to silence dissent.
