Arrest, detention of VeryDarkMan abuse of power by Tinubu’s govt: Atiku
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has condemned the arrest and detention of Martins “VeryDarkMan” Otse by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), describing it as a hallmark of President Bola Tinubu’s repressive and authoritarian government.
In a statement on Monday, Mr Abubakar said VeryDarkMan’s detention is another case of “abuse of power” by the Tinubu-led authoritarian government.
“The arrest and continued detention of social media influencer and outspoken critic Mr Martins Vincent Otse, widely known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is yet another blatant abuse of power by the Tinubu administration, which has made political repression a hallmark of its rule,” Mr Abubakar said.
He added, “Even more alarming is the fact that Mr Otse remains in custody without any formal charges is a flagrant violation of his constitutional rights and a chilling reminder of the growing authoritarianism under this government.”
The politician condemned as “disgraceful” the current administration’s “systematic crackdown on opposition voices.”
The former vice president charged Nigerians to “not allow state-sponsored repression to become the defining character of our democracy,” adding, “This latest episode is part of a disturbing pattern: the Tinubu regime’s relentless assault on the fundamental freedoms of Nigerians, particularly those who dare to speak truth to power or align with the political opposition.”
On Monday, a horde of young Nigerians hit the streets demanding that the EFCC release VeryDarkMan.
Peoples Gazette reported that VeryDarkMan was detained by the EFCC operatives from the commission’s Special Duty Committee (SDC) Unit 4 after being apprehended at GTB’s exit door at Garki, Area 3, Abuja.
The spokesperson for the EFCC, Dele Oyewale, confirmed to The Gazette that the social critic was detained following petitions by unidentified persons against him.
“We have some petitions against him that we are working on. He has some issues with us,” said Mr Oyewale. “I’m not confirming the arrest anyway; a couple of persons sent petitions to us against him.”
The arrest came days after VeryDarkMan called GTbank out about suspicious debits from his mother’s account.
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
States
Independence: NBA urges Nigerians to expect better future
The NBA said that ordinary Nigerians should be deriving benefit from the subsidy removal rather than hardship.
Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
Education
Two students win scholarships as Ondo school wins NILDS national quiz competition
Model Secondary School in Akure, Ondo, has won the 11th National Quiz Competition on Legislature and Democracy, organised by NILDS.
States
NIMASA, China sign MoU to boost maritime cooperation
NIMASA said the agreement was signed at the Shanghai Seafarers Assessment Model Centre in Shanghai, China.
Politics
Edo commissioner urges constituents to support APC for development
Eugenia Abdallah, Edo commissioner for women’s affairs and social development, has urged Iraokhor residents to support the APC.
Education
NANS commends security agencies over rescue of kidnap victims in Ogun
NANS commended the cooperation and coordination among the security agencies that led to the successful rescue operation.
Lagos
Lagos assembly to regulate artisans, adopts bill for Sanwo-Olu’s assent
The Lagos State House of Assembly has adopted a bill seeking to regulate the activities of artisans.
States
Makinde blames FG, NYSC as Oyo corps members lament delayed October allowance
The corps members lamented the delay, stating that the non-payment caused inconvenience and financial difficulties.
