EFCC Denies Disclosing Reasons For VeryDarkMan’s Arrest

Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has denied a viral report claiming it revealed the reasons behind the detention of social media commentator VeryDarkMan (VDM).

Gatekeepers Newreports that according to the report, EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale was quoted as saying that VDM was arrested based on petitions filed by individuals with grievances against him.

“We arrested him to respond to a series of allegations raised against him by some petitioners,” Oyewale was quoted as saying. “We will release him once he meets the bail conditions, and we will take the case to court as soon as possible. We are law-abiding.”

However, the EFCC later denied speaking with BBC Pidgin, contradicting the report. The commission’s denial has sparked further controversy surrounding VDM’s detention.

VDM was detained on Friday after visiting a Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB) branch in Abuja with his mother to address alleged unauthorized withdrawals from her account. Human rights lawyer Deji Adeyanju revealed that VDM’s arrest followed a petition filed by a magistrate in Abuja.

The detention has sparked widespread outrage, with notable figures such as Peter Obi, Atiku Abubakar, and Davido condemning the EFCC’s actions. Obi described the arrest as a “disregard for the rule of law and human rights,” while Abubakar expressed disappointment with the “continued detention” of VDM without formal charges, calling it a “violation of his constitutional rights and a sign of growing authoritarianism” in the country.

Davido praised the widespread support for VeryDarkMan, saying it was “proof that genuine activism impacts lives.”