The arrest and continued detention of social media influencer and vocal government critic, Mr. Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has sparked widespread outrage among pro-democracy advocates and civil society groups.
In a strongly worded statement issued on Monday, political commentator and rights activist, simply identified as AA, condemned the action as “yet another blatant abuse of power” by the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. According to AA, the EFCC’s failure to formally charge Mr. Otse, despite days in custody, is “a flagrant violation of his constitutional rights and a chilling reminder of the growing authoritarianism under this government.”
“This latest episode,” AA said, “is part of a disturbing pattern — the Tinubu regime’s relentless assault on the fundamental freedoms of Nigerians, especially those who dare to speak truth to power or associate with the political opposition.”
AA warned that allowing state-sponsored repression to fester could erode the country’s democratic foundations. “We must not allow such repression to become the defining character of our democracy,” the statement added.
Highlighting what appears to be a double standard in the administration’s approach to justice, AA noted that while government critics are often targeted without due process, political allies with corruption allegations continue to enjoy freedom and patronage.
“The Tinubu administration’s systematic crackdown on opposition voices is nothing short of disgraceful. It is an affront to democratic norms and must be fiercely condemned and resisted,” the statement concluded.
As of press time, the EFCC has yet to release an official statement on the status of Mr. Otse’s case, prompting further calls for transparency and adherence to the rule of law.
