CITIZENS COMPASS– There was confusion on Tuesday following a purported administrative bail granted to popular social media influencer, Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The social media was awash in the afternoon when reports started flying that EFCC had granted Administrative Bail to VDM.
However, his legal team said there was no official bail from EFCC.
Counsel to VDM, Deji Adeyanju, noted the confusion via his social media handles, countering the EFCC’s earlier claim that the activist had been granted administrative bail. Adeyanju revealed that despite repeated demands, the legal team is yet to receive any formal documentation to that effect.
“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 that we were informed about the decision to grant bail,” he wrote.
Adeyanju said that he has written the forwarded to EFCC, his second statement about the continued detention of his client.
Meanwhile, in a post titled, “EFCC’s Case against Martins Vincent Otse, the Commission on its social media handles gave further clarification about VDM’s arrest which 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 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.”
Social media influencers have continued to condemned the continued detention of VDM who was said to be jointly arrested by the Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Service (DSS) and EFCC.
