Protest as Atiku, Obi fault arrest of VeryDarkMan

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has blamed the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration for the arrest and detention of Mr. Martins Vincent Otse, also known as VeryDarkMan (VDM). VDM was last week arrested by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and has been in their custody since then. There were initial reports […]

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has blamed the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration for the arrest and detention of Mr. Martins Vincent Otse, also known as VeryDarkMan (VDM).

VDM was last week arrested by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and has been in their custody since then.

There were initial reports that VDM was arrested on Friday shortly after he visited a Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank) branch in Abuja to complain about alleged unauthorised transactions from his mother’s account.

He was subsequently detained by EFCC, according to his lawyer, Deji Adeyanju.

But Atiku in a post on his X handle on Monday said the arrest by the EFCC was another “Blatant abuse of power by the Tinubu administration, which has made political repression a hallmark of its rule.”

The opposition leader also said that while “Security agencies are quick to target dissenters and critics, often in complete disregard of due process, political loyalists with credible allegations of corruption walk free, trading sycophancy for immunity.”

According to Atiku, “The arrest and continued detention of social media influencer and outspoken critic, Mr. Martins Vincent Otse, widely known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission is yet another blatant abuse of power by the Tinubu administration, which has made political repression a hallmark of its rule.

“Even more alarming is the fact that Mr. Otse remains in custody without any formal charges is a flagrant violation of his constitutional rights and a chilling reminder of the growing authoritarianism under this government.”

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate in the 2023 election said the latest episode was part of a disturbing pattern.

“The Tinubu regime’s relentless assault on the fundamental freedoms of Nigerians, particularly those who dare to speak truth to power or align with the political opposition.

“We must not allow state-sponsored repression to become the defining character of our democracy.

“The Tinubu administration’s systematic crackdown on opposition voices is nothing short of disgraceful. It is an affront to democratic norms and must be fiercely condemned and resisted,” he said.

 

VDM arrest like an abduction -Obi

The presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in 2023 elections, Peter Obi has condemned the manner at which the popular social media critic was arrested by security operatives.

Obi on his X handle said that though the arrest was within the legal rights of security agencies but it was carried out in a manner that left many Nigerians unsettled.

“The display of force, lacking in transparency and civility, closely resembled an abduction, a disturbing method that not only creates fear but also risks being mimicked by criminal elements. If Nigerians begin to struggle to distinguish between legitimate arrests and unlawful abductions, we will lose a vital layer of national security and accountability.

“This trend is not new. We must recall that even our esteemed judges, the last line of defence for justice, have suffered similar indignities in recent years. When those who interpret the law are treated with such disregard, it is difficult to expect that ordinary citizens will feel protected under the law.

“Moreover, these methods are beginning to affect our economy and business environment. The backlash directed at GTBank, allegedly linked to the circumstances surrounding Mr. Otse’s arrest, has had serious reputational consequences.

“At a time when investor confidence is already fragile, we must do all we can to avoid actions that tarnish institutions or undermine the trust of both citizens and the international community. One cannot help but ask: was it impossible to invite Mr. Otse in a civil, transparent, and legal manner? Would that not have spared Nigerians, GTBank, and our national image the unnecessary shame and losses we now witness?” Obi said.

 

Protest in Abuja

Meanwhile, scores of youths have taken to the streets of Abuja, in protest over the arrest by the EFCC.

The protesters, who marched from the headquarters of the EFCC to the premises of a commercial bank where he was reportedly arrested, carried placards with inscriptions such as “Release Very Dark Man” among others.

The protesters, who were also sighted at the Wuse area, just right after the Berger Bridge, described VDM’s arrest and detention as illegal.

They also demanded transparency from the authorities as they vowed to take their grievance to the Nigerian Human Rights Commission.

 

The arrest of the activist had also received criticisms from some prominent Nigerians.