Atiku vindicated, as Adeyanju says EFCC cannot provide acclaimed petitions against VeryDarkMan
*Warns against weaponization of law enforcement to intimidate dissenting voices
By OUR REPORTER
Adeyanju expressed frustration that despite repeated inquiries, EFCC officials admitted that there was no petition against Otse. He described the arrest as deeply troubling and a clear violation of due process.
Human rights advocate, lawyer and social commentator, Mr. Deji Adeyanju, has raised serious concerns over the continued detention of Martins Vincent Otse, widely known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Adeyanju, who had just returned to Nigeria, disclosed that he went straight to the EFCC’s office upon arrival to visit the detained activist but, according to him, the agency was unable to provide any petition or formal complaint justifying the arrest.
Adeyanju expressed frustration that despite repeated inquiries, EFCC officials admitted that there was no petition against Otse. He described the arrest as deeply troubling and a clear violation of due process.
The lack of a formal accusation has raised significant questions about the legal basis for Otse’s detention, fueling concerns that the arrest may be politically motivated or intended to silence his vocal criticisms of government institutions.
The DEFENDER reports that this also further laid credence to the concerns expressed by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar , wherein he said the arrest of VDM is an indication of political repression as a Hallmark of Tinubu’s administration.
READ ALSO: Arrest of VeryDarkMan makes political repression a hallmark of Tinubu’s administration – Atiku
VDM, a controversial figure known for his bold and often confrontational commentary on social issues and corruption, had earlier warned of an impending arrest, alleging that unnamed individuals were colluding with the EFCC to silence him.
He claimed that videos and photos had been submitted to the agency to implicate him, although no official charges have been disclosed.
Adeyanju criticised the EFCC’s approach, stressing that law enforcement should not be weaponized to intimidate dissenting voices.
READ ALSO: VeryDarkMan arrested over multiple petitions, EFCC reportedly says
He called for Otse’s immediate release, arguing that arbitrary arrests erode public trust in the justice system and divert attention from real threats to national security.
Part of his words, “Got into the country this evening and went straight to VDM at EFCC. Just left him. We still cannot understand why he was arrested. EFCC said there’s no petition against him after our repeated demand.”
The EFCC has remained silent on the matter, offering no official statement to clarify the grounds for the arrest. As public scrutiny intensifies, civil society groups and legal observers continue to demand transparency and adherence to the rule of law in the handling of Otse’s case.
