The Minority Caucus in the House of Representatives has called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to either release Martins Otse, popularly known as Very Dark Man (VDM), or charge him to court immediately. This follows his recent arrest, which has drawn criticism from lawmakers.
In a statement released on Monday, Rep. Kingsley Chinda (PDP–Rivers), the Minority Leader, condemned the arrest of Otse, a well-known social media influencer and human rights activist. Chinda argued that the arrest was unlawful, as Otse had not been charged and his detention violated the constitutional rights of the citizen.
“As the voice of the opposition, we demand that the EFCC either release Mr. Otse or arraign him in court without further delay,” Chinda said. “Arbitrary arrests and prolonged detentions have no place in a democratic society.”
Otse was reportedly arrested on Friday at a new generation bank after posting a video accusing the bank of unauthorized deductions from his mother’s account, allegedly linked to a loan taken without her consent. He had visited the bank to resolve the issue and recover the funds when he was arrested.
Chinda emphasized that such arrests without due process threaten Nigeria’s democracy and erode public trust in law enforcement. He reminded the EFCC that the Nigerian Constitution guarantees citizens’ rights to liberty, and any arrest without a warrant must be followed by a court appearance within two days.
“The arrest of Otse without a warrant is a violation of the 1999 Constitution,” Chinda said. He warned that the continued detention of Otse without being charged was not only an abuse of power but also an affront to natural justice.
The Minority Caucus has urged the EFCC to respect constitutional provisions and either charge Otse or release him promptly.
