•VeryDarkMan
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has secured a court order to remand social media activist, Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), pending the conclusion of an investigation into alleged cybercrime offences.
VDM was arrested last Friday at a bank branch in the Wuse area of Abuja by a combined team of EFCC operatives, officers of the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Nigeria Police Force, reports The Guardian.
Eyewitnesses said he was accosted shortly after exiting the bank premises.
His arrest sparked widespread outrage on social media, with the hashtag #FreeVDM trending across platforms throughout the weekend.
Critics have accused authorities of using security agencies to silence dissenting voices.
Sources close to the investigation confirmed that the EFCC is preparing to file charges under Nigeria’s Cybercrimes Act, which empowers the commission to investigate and prosecute cybercrimes, particularly those involving financial and economic crimes.
“The remand order was granted to allow us to complete our investigation and finalise the charges,” a senior EFCC official said, adding that “he would be arraigned once we conclude that process, and the charges are expected to be substantial,” a source said.
As of this morning, VDM remains in the custody of the EFCC. His legal representative, Deji Adeyanju, issued a formal statement last week confirming that they are seeking access to him and reviewing possible legal actions.
The EFCC has not issued an official statement on the arrest or the charges.
