Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM) and known for his outspoken activism on social media, has claimed that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) may soon invite him for questioning following a petition submitted by legal practitioner Blessing Agbomhere.
In a recent post, VDM shared a copy of the petition, which urges the EFCC to investigate the financial activities, sources of funding, and asset acquisitions of both Otse and fellow activist Deji Adeyanju. According to the petition, the activists’ recent public mobilizations and organizational strength have raised suspicions about the origins and legitimacy of their finances.
The letter specifically asks the EFCC to conduct a comprehensive forensic audit of the income streams, corporate ties, and financial transactions linked to Otse and Adeyanju. It also requests an examination of all bank accounts, companies, foundations, associations, intermediaries, and agents connected to their activities, to determine whether their funds were lawfully acquired and properly accounted for.
Furthermore, the petition calls for scrutiny into any possible signs of money laundering, unlawful enrichment, hidden ownership, tax evasion, unauthorized fundraising, foreign financial involvement, or any other economic and financial crimes. It also asks the EFCC to investigate whether any foreign individuals, organizations, or governments have provided funds or support to the activists, and to coordinate with relevant intelligence and regulatory agencies to assess any national security risks related to their financial activities.
Reacting to the petition, VeryDarkMan described it as a deliberate attempt to silence critics of the current administration. He alleged that, rather than address the welfare of Nigerians, the government is deploying legal intimidation to suppress advocacy for good governance.
They want to stop us from speaking against this government that has failed to protect the lives of Nigerians, so they’re using petitions, he wrote in his post. He added that the petition claims their activism is so well-organized that it raises suspicions about their backers, and suggested the petition is an effort to label them as sponsors of terrorism to discredit their movement.
In a subsequent video, VDM reiterated his belief that the EFCC will soon summon him for questioning.
When contacted by TheCable Lifestyle, EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale said he would respond in due course. As of the time of this report, however, Oyewale had not confirmed whether the commission would act on the petition or formally invite the activists for questioning.
