Deji Adeyanju, legal representative to Mr. Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as Very Dark Black Man (VDM), has abruptly ended his trip to Banjul, Gambia, to return to Nigeria and confront the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) regarding his client’s arrest and detention.
In an exclusive chat with The Guardian on Sunday, May 4, 2025, Adeyanju said he would be at the EFCC corporate headquarters by Monday to demand answers about the reasons behind Otse’s detention.
“I have decided to cut my trip short and will be back to Nigeria tomorrow by 4 pm and head straight to EFCC,” Adeyanju stated.
Background of the Arrest
Otse and his friend, Mr. Steven Avuara (AKA C-PACK), were arrested on May 2, 2025, immediately after leaving the Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB) branch at Garki, Area 3, Abuja. According to a statement from Deji Adeyanju and Partners law firm, the two were detained by officers from the EFCC’s Special Duty Committee (SDC) Unit 4.
The law firm criticized the EFCC for failing to publicly disclose the grounds for the arrests. While the EFCC showed the lawyers an arrest warrant for Otse issued by Chief Magistrate Njideka Iloanya-Duru of Wuse Zone 2, Abuja, the warrant alleges cyberstalking but no further details have been provided.
Allegations of Mistreatment
The law firm alleged that Otse and Avuara were beaten and blindfolded by armed men in black uniforms shortly after exiting the bank. Avuara recounted that they were locked in the bank’s security door for over five minutes before being accosted at gunpoint, beaten, and blindfolded a few meters outside the bank premises.
Otse reportedly refused to speak with anyone due to psychological and physical trauma from the arresting officers, who allegedly labeled them “bandits” and threatened to shoot them in front of Otse’s mother, Mrs. Blessing Otse, who was present during the incident. The whereabouts of Mrs. Otse remain unknown.
Concerns Over Due Process
The law firm also raised concerns that EFCC officers attempted to interrogate Avuara without informing him of the allegations against him, violating his constitutional rights. After protests from the lawyers, the interrogation was halted, and the legal team left the EFCC headquarters.
The lawyers have called on the EFCC to respect their clients’ constitutionally guaranteed rights and provide clarity on the charges.
This case continues to develop as Adeyanju and his legal team prepare to engage with the EFCC to seek transparency and justice for their clients.