VeryDarkMan granted bail, EFCC says activist arrested over alleged financial crimes

Social media activist Martins Innocent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, has been granted administrative bail by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The EFCC made this announcement on Tuesday via its official Facebook page, clarifying that VeryDarkman’s arrest was based on multiple petitions accusing him of financial misconduct.

According to the Commission, efforts were initially made to invite the activist for questioning through various known channels, but he allegedly failed to honour the invitations.

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

The anti-graft agency further emphasized that the allegations against VeryDarkMan are serious and cannot be ignored, describing them as “grave financial malfeasance.”

While acknowledging the public attention surrounding the case, the EFCC also addressed claims that the arrest was politically motivated or in retaliation for VeryDarkMan’s criticism of the agency.

“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 EFCC has a lawful right to hold Otse in custody like any other suspect being investigated by the Commission,” the EFCC added.

The Commission also urged Nigerians to allow it to carry out its mandate without undue speculation or interference, assuring that if investigations warrant, formal charges will follow.