Lucky Obukohwo, Reporting
Deji Adeyanju, the legal representative for the detained Mr. Martins Vincent Otse, alias VeryDarkMan (VDM), has shortened his journey to Banjul in Gambia due to his client’s continuous detention by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Adeyanju told Newsmen that he will be at the EFCC’s corporate offices with his team to face the commission about why his client is being detained.
“I have decided to cut my trip short and will be back to Nigeria tomorrow by 4 pm and head straight to EFCC.”
The law firm had previously lambasted the commission for failing to explain why their client was arrested and detained.
According to the lawyers, the EFCC only showed their colleagues who were present at the commission an arrest warrant allegedly issued against Otse by His Worship, Njideka Iloanya-Duru (Mrs), Chief Magistrate II, Wuse Zone 2, on the basis of cyberstalking allegations.
In a statement on behalf of the law firm, signed by Zainab M. Otega, Esq, they called on the commission to respect their clients’ constitutionally guaranteed rights, alleging that Otse, along with his friend, were beaten and blindfolded by some armed men wearing black uniforms.
“Earlier today, May 2, 2025, our attention was drawn to the fact that our clients, Mr. Martins Vincent Otse (AKA Very Dark Black Man) and Mr. Steven Avuara (AKA C-PACK), were arrested by officers of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), immediately after they exited Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB) Ltd’s premises at Garki, Area 3, Abuja.
“Upon receipt of the information, our Founding Partner, Marvin Omorogbe, Esq, and our Associate, Steven Eze, Esq, promptly proceeded to the EFCC Headquarters, Abuja, where they confirmed that our clients were being detained by officers attached to the Commission’s Special Duty Committee (SDC) Unit 4.
“Further inquiries at the SDC Unit 4 led our colleagues to a certain Mr. Chukwu, who was identified as the lead officer in charge of the case. Our colleagues subsequently requested access to our clients, but they were informed that Mr. Martins Otse declined to see anybody.
“However, our colleagues were able to see Mr. Avuara, who narrated the circumstances leading to their arrest.
“From our interactive session with Mr. Avuara, we were able to gather that Mr. Martins Otse, his mother, Mrs. Blessing Otse, and Mr. Avuara visited GTB Garki, Area 3, Abuja, to make inquiries about the incessant deductions from Mrs. Otse’s bank account.
“Following the conclusion of the inquiries, they attempted to exit the building but were locked in the bank’s security door for over five minutes. Shortly thereafter, they were accosted at gunpoint a few meters outside the bank’s premises, beaten, and blindfolded by some armed men wearing black uniforms.
“According to Mr. Avuara, Mr. Martins Otse refused to speak with anybody, presumably because of the psychological and physical trauma he experienced in the hands of the arresting officers, who labeled them as “bandits” and threatened to shoot them in the presence of Mrs. Otse.
“We were further informed by Mr. Avuara that they were transported to the EFCC’s headquarters at Jabi, Abuja. At the time of this statement, we are unable to confirm the whereabouts of Mrs. Otse.
“We, thereafter, sought to find out from the EFCC’s officers the exact allegation against Mr. Avuara, having not been able to speak with Mr. Martins Otse.
“However, we were directed to proceed to an interrogation room, where four EFCC officers, led by Mr. Chukwu, attempted to interrogate Mr. Avuara regarding his relationship with Mr. Martins Otse.
“Despite repeated requests, the EFCC’s officers refused to disclose the specific allegation against Mr. Avuara but only showed our colleagues an arrest warrant allegedly issued against Mr. Martins Otse by His Worship, Njideka Iloanya-Duru (Mrs), Chief Magistrate II, Wuse Zone 2, on the allegation of cyberstalking.
“Regardless of our protest against the procedure adopted by the EFCC’s officers, which sought to elicit information from Mr. Avuara without first informing him of the allegations against him, the EFCC officers still attempted to continue their interrogation of Mr. Avuara.
“In order not to legitimize the clear breach of Mr. Avuara’s constitutional right to be informed of the allegations against him, our colleagues exited the interrogation room and the EFCC Headquarters.
“While we continue to interface with the EFCC on this issue, we call on the commission to respect our clients’ constitutionally guaranteed rights”, the statement said.