A social media influencer, Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as Very Dark Man, VDM, has been arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. The arrest, which occurred on Thursday, was sparked by a visit to a Guaranty Trust Bank branch, where Otse had gone to complain about unauthorized deductions from his mother’s account. This move has ignited widespread outrage and protests across social media platforms.
Prominent figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi, have swiftly come to Otse’s defense, calling for his immediate release. Their demands reflect the growing concern and tension surrounding the situation. The EFCC’s decision to arrest Otse has raised questions and sparked debate, with many taking to social media to express their opinions and show support for the influencer.
In an interview with BBC News Pidgin, EFCC spokesman Dele Oyewale shed light on the circumstances surrounding Otse’s arrest. According to Oyewale, the influencer was taken into custody in response to several complaints filed by different individuals. “We arrested him to respond to a series of allegations raised against him by some petitioners,” Oyewale explained. When questioned about the connection between the arrest and the issue at Guaranty Trust Bank, Oyewale clarified that the complaints were from various sources and that the agency has a duty to protect these individuals.
The EFCC plans to arraign Otse, and Oyewale assured that the commission would release him once he meets the bail conditions. “We will release him when he meets the bail conditions, and we will take the case to court as soon as possible; we are law-abiding,” Oyewale stated. This assurance is seen as a move to demonstrate the commission’s commitment to upholding the law while also addressing the concerns of those involved.
As the situation unfolds, the international community is watching closely, with many interested in seeing how the case will be handled and what implications it may have for social media activists and the broader community. The arrest of Martins Vincent Otse has brought attention to the complex and often contentious relationship between social media influencers, financial institutions, and law enforcement agencies. As the story continues to develop, it is clear that the outcome will have significant repercussions, not just for Otse, but also for the social media landscape and the way in which individuals and organizations interact with one another.