Administrative Bail Granted to VeryDarkMan as EFCC Defends Detention Over Alleged Financial Crimes

 

Martins Innocent Otse, widely known by his online alias VeryDarkMan (VDM), has been granted administrative bail by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), following a storm of legal challenges and public agitation over the circumstances of his arrest.

The EFCC, which confirmed the arrest of Otse on Tuesday, disclosed that he would be released as soon as he fulfills the conditions attached to his bail. The Commission maintained that his detention was lawful, citing serious allegations of financial misconduct received through multiple petitions. According to the EFCC, despite repeated invitations to respond to these allegations, Otse failed to honor any of them, leading to his eventual arrest.

"The EFCC has a lawful right to hold Otse in custody like any other suspect being investigated by the Commission. The appropriate Remand Order was obtained in this regard. He has been offered an administrative bail and would be released after fulfilling all the bail conditions," the Commission stated.

Otse’s bail comes after significant public pressure and legal advocacy demanding his release. Human rights lawyer Deji Adeyanju, who is representing Otse, had earlier raised concerns about the legality of the arrest. According to Adeyanju, when he visited Otse at the EFCC headquarters in Abuja, officials were unable to provide any evidence of a formal petition filed against his client.

Adeyanju challenged the EFCC's justification for the arrest, calling it a case of “arbitrary detention,” and accused the agency of acting without legal basis. “We still cannot understand why he was arrested. EFCC said there’s no petition against him after our repeated demand,” he said in a social media update shortly after visiting Otse.

The controversy surrounding Otse’s detention drew swift condemnation from civil rights groups. The Public Interest Lawyers League (PILL) issued a strong statement describing the arrest and continued detention of Otse as unlawful and an affront to due process. PILL and other advocacy groups insisted that the EFCC must provide clear and lawful justification for detaining any citizen, particularly a public figure known for his outspoken views.

Otse, who has built a reputation as a fearless critic of political leaders, public figures, and societal practices, was reportedly picked up by EFCC operatives at a Guarantee Trust Bank branch in Abuja. His arrest immediately sparked backlash on social media, where the hashtag #FreeVDM began trending as Nigerians demanded transparency and accountability from the Commission.

The EFCC, while addressing the public uproar, insisted that the arrest was not a response to Otse’s online criticisms or confrontational style. "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 agency clarified.

Though the EFCC acknowledged the strong public interest in Otse's case, it called on Nigerians to refrain from casting aspersions on its motives. "The EFCC should be allowed to do its job without fear or favour. As soon as investigations are concluded, charges will be filed," the agency added.

Despite these assurances, many legal observers believe the EFCC's handling of the case has exposed lingering issues around due process and civil liberties in Nigeria. The lack of clarity over the petition’s existence, as claimed by Otse's legal team, has fueled suspicions that the arrest may have been more about silencing dissent than addressing financial wrongdoing.

Otse’s administrative bail now shifts attention to the legal process that will follow. It remains unclear whether formal charges will be filed or if the EFCC will discontinue the investigation due to insufficient evidence. Meanwhile, Adeyanju and his legal team are expected to continue pushing for accountability over what they describe as a violation of their client’s rights.

With public sentiment largely in Otse’s favor, the case has quickly grown beyond a legal matter into a broader commentary on state power, free expression, and the treatment of public critics in Nigeria. As Otse prepares to leave EFCC custody upon meeting bail terms, the spotlight remains firmly on how the Commission will proceed—and whether justice will ultimately be seen to be done.