Legal representatives of Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as Very Dark Black Man (VDM), have condemned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over its failure to clarify the reasons behind their client’s arrest and detention. The lawyers, operating under Deji Adeyanju and Partners, revealed that the EFCC only presented what they described as a “kangaroo warrant” allegedly issued by a magistrate on charges of cyberstalking, without providing any substantive explanation.
In a statement issued on May 2, 2025, and signed by Zainab M. Otega, Esq., the law firm detailed the circumstances surrounding the arrest of Otse and his associate, Steven Avuara (aka C-PACK). The duo was apprehended by EFCC officers immediately after leaving Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB) Ltd’s premises in Abuja’s Garki district.
The lawyers reported that Otse, Avuara, and Otse’s mother, Blessing Otse, had visited GTB to investigate unexplained deductions from Mrs. Otse’s bank account. After their inquiries, the group was locked inside the bank’s security door for over five minutes before being accosted at gunpoint by armed men in black uniforms just outside the bank. They were reportedly beaten, blindfolded, and labeled “bandits” by the arresting officers.
While Avuara was accessible to the lawyers and recounted the traumatic arrest, Otse declined to see anyone, likely due to psychological and physical distress. Avuara also revealed that the EFCC officers attempted to interrogate him without informing him of any charges, violating his constitutional rights.
The EFCC officers only showed the lawyers an arrest warrant purportedly issued by Chief Magistrate Njideka Iloanya-Duru of Wuse Zone 2, Abuja, accusing Otse of cyberstalking. However, no official charge or explanation was provided regarding Avuara’s detention.
The lawyers strongly protested the EFCC’s interrogation methods and the refusal to disclose allegations against their clients. To avoid legitimizing these breaches of constitutional rights, the legal team withdrew from the interrogation.
The law firm has called on the EFCC to respect the constitutionally guaranteed rights of Otse and Avuara and to provide a transparent account of the reasons for their arrest and detention.
