VDM: Don’t Distract Us From Doing Our Work, EFCC Ask Nigerians

In the wake of the arrest and investigation of controversial social media personality VeryDarkMan (VDM), the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has urged Nigerians to allow it to carry out its duty without distraction or undue conjecture.

This is just as it made clear that VeryDarkMan’s continuous attacks on the Commission had no bearing on the decision to arrest him.

The EFCC claims that the investigation into the suspect’s activity is still underway and that his detention was not due to his acts in the social media space.

The EFCC stressed in a statement that it is tasked with combating financial and economic crimes and that VeryDarkMan’s case is being handled on the basis of the accusations against him rather than his public statements. 

“The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, in the exercise of its mandate of tackling economic and financial crimes, invited Martins Vincent Otse owing to a series of petitions bordering on sundry issues of alleged financial crimes raised against him. 

According to the commission, he refused to show up in spite of several invitations sent to him through his known addresses and medium of communication. The petitions pertain to grave allegations of financial malfeasance which cannot be ignored by the Commission.

“It is needful to admit that the Commission is aware of several unguarded attacks of the suspect against its operations. While such conduct is condemnable, his arrest was not informed by such attacks. The relevant law enforcement agency will be allowed to look into them.

The statement asserted that the EFCC has a lawful right to hold Otse in custody like any other suspect being investigated by the Commission, adding that the appropriate Remand Order was obtained in this regard.

It was also mentioned that the suspect has been offered an administrative bail and would be released after fulfilling all the bail conditions.

The EFCC also took the opportunity to remind the public that its work should not be subject to undue speculation.

“The Commission appreciates the interest of Nigerians in its operations. The passion, enthusiasm and torrential reactions to all of its activities are welcome. However, insinuations about its motive in carrying out its assignment should no longer continue. The EFCC should be allowed to do its job without fear or favour. As soon as investigations are concluded, charges will be filed.”