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Legal counsel for Martins Vincent Otse, who is also known as AKA Very Dark Black Man, has criticized the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for not providing sufficient information to the public regarding the arrest and detention of their client.
The lawyers, operating under Deji Adeyanju and Partners, revealed that the EFCC only presented their representatives with an arrest warrant purportedly issued against Otse by Chief Magistrate Njideka Iloanya-Duru (Mrs.), concerning accusations of cyber stalking.
In a statement issued by the law firm and signed by Zainab M. Otega, Esq., they urged the commission to honor their client's constitutionally protected rights, alleging that Otse and a companion were assaulted and blindfolded by armed individuals in black uniforms.
The statement detailed that on May 2, 2025, the firm became aware that their clients, Martins Vincent Otse (AKA Very Dark Black Man) and Steven Avuara (AKA C-PACK), were apprehended by EFCC officers right after leaving the premises of Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB) Ltd. in Garki, Area 3, Abuja.
Following this development, the Founding Partner, Marvin Omorogbe, Esq., along with Associate Steven Eze, quickly went to the EFCC Headquarters in Abuja, where it was verified that both clients were indeed in custody of the Commission’s Special Duty Committee (SDC) Unit 4.
Further inquiries led them to speak with Mr. Chukwu, identified as the principal officer overseeing the case. Although access to Martins Otse was denied, they managed to speak with Avuara, who recounted the events surrounding their arrest.
Avuara explained that he, Martins Otse, and his mother, Mrs. Blessing Otse, had gone to GTB Garki to address persistent withdrawals from Mrs. Otse’s account.
After their inquiries, they found themselves trapped by the bank’s security door for more than five minutes. Soon after, they were intercepted outside the bank at gunpoint, beaten, and blindfolded by armed individuals in black attire.
Avuara reported that Martins Otse was reluctant to converse with anyone, likely due to the psychological and physical distress inflicted by the arresting officers, who referred to them as "bandits" and threatened to shoot in front of Mrs. Otse.
They were subsequently taken to the EFCC headquarters in Jabi, Abuja, where, at the time of the statement, Mrs. Otse's location remained unknown.
The lawyers attempted to clarify the specific charges against Avuara, having been unable to communicate directly with Martins Otse.
However, they were instructed to enter an interrogation room where four EFCC officers, led by Chukwu, began questioning Avuara about his association with Martins Otse.
Despite several requests, the EFCC officials declined to reveal the charges against Avuara and only presented an arrest warrant for Martins Otse related to the cyber stalking accusation.
The lawyers objected to the method employed by the EFCC officers, which aimed to extract information from Avuara without providing him with details about the allegations he faced.
To avoid endorsing this apparent violation of Avuara's constitutional right to be informed of the charges against him, the lawyers left the interrogation room and exited the EFCC Headquarters.
While they continue to engage with the EFCC on this matter, they urge the commission to uphold the constitutionally guaranteed rights of their clients.
