VDM: Allow us do our job, EFCC declares
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has encouraged Nigerians to allow it to carry out its duty without distraction or undue conjecture, following considerable public outrage over the detention and investigation of controversial social media personality VeryDarkMan (VDM).
This proves that VeryDarkMan’s frequent attacks on the Commission had no influence on the decision to arrest him.
The EFCC claims the suspect’s arrest was unrelated to his conduct, and the investigation is ongoing.
In a statement, the EFCC stated that its mandate is to combat economic and financial crimes and that VeryDarkMan’s case is being handled based on the merits of the claims against him, not his public views.
EFCC’s Case Against Martins Vincent Otse
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) invited Martins Vincent Otse to address a number of petitions about alleged economic and financial crimes. pic.twitter.com/VBhCHbYAM1
— EFCC Nigeria (@officialEFCC), May 6, 2025.
“The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, invited Martins Vincent Otse as part of its mandate to combat economic and financial crimes, following a series of petitions alleging different financial crimes against him. He declined to attend despite receiving multiple invites to his known addresses and communication channels. The petitions contain substantial charges of financial misconduct that the Commission cannot ignore.
“It is necessary to acknowledge that the Commission is aware of many unguarded attacks by the suspect on its activities. Although we condemned such behaviour, the attacks did not result in his arrest. We will allow the appropriate law enforcement agency to investigate them.
“The EFCC has a legal right to detain Otse in detention alongside any other suspect under investigation by the Commission. We obtained an appropriate remand order in this case. We have offered him administrative bail and will release him once he has met all of the bail requirements.
The EFCC also used the occasion to remind the public that its work should not be subjected to unfounded speculation.
“The Commission welcomes Nigerians’ interest in its actions. We encourage passion, excitement, and torrential reactions to all of its activities. However, insinuations about its motivation for carrying out its task should stop. We should allow the EFCC to do its work without fear or favour. We will file charges as soon as the investigations are completed.