The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has granted bail to controversial social media activist, Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), who was arrested by its operatives.
The anti-graft agency disclosed this on Monday following public outrage over the manner of his arrest, saying Otse was invited over “a series of petitions bordering on sundry issues of alleged financial crimes.”
The EFCC claimed that Otse ignored multiple invitations sent to him through known addresses and communication channels, which was why he was arrested.
It also said that VDM’s online statements were not the reason for his arrest, noting that investigation into his activities is still ongoing.
The statement said, “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 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.”
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