EFCC Grants Bail to Influencer VeryDarkMan Amid Financial Crime Investigations

Controversial social media influencer, Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, has been granted administrative bail by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) following his arrest over multiple allegations of financial misconduct.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) confirmed on Tuesday that it has granted administrative bail to Martins Innocent Otse, widely known on social media as VeryDarkMan, after detaining him in connection with a series of petitions alleging financial crimes.

In a statement issued by the Commission, the EFCC said Otse was invited multiple times, via his known addresses and communication channels but failed to honor the invitations, prompting his arrest. The petitions filed against him, according to the EFCC, involve serious claims of financial malfeasance that the Commission is legally bound to investigate.

“The Commission has the legal mandate to investigate economic and financial crimes and could not ignore the grave allegations presented in the petitions,” the statement noted.

The EFCC clarified that while it is aware of Otse’s frequent social media criticism and verbal attacks on the Commission and its operations, his arrest was not retaliatory or influenced by those comments.

“Such conduct is condemnable,” the Commission stated, “but the arrest was solely based on his alleged involvement in financial crimes. Matters related to his public comments may be addressed by the appropriate law enforcement agency.”

To ensure due process, the EFCC said it obtained the necessary remand order to keep Otse in custody during the preliminary investigation. He has now been granted bail and will be released upon fulfillment of all bail conditions.

The Commission acknowledged the intense public interest surrounding the case and its wider operations. It emphasized that while public engagement is welcome, speculations and unfounded motives attributed to its investigative actions should be avoided.

“We appreciate the enthusiasm and engagement of Nigerians in our work, but we urge the public to allow the EFCC to carry out its duties without fear or favour,” the agency appealed.

The EFCC confirmed that Otse’s case remains under investigation, and charges will be filed in court if sufficient evidence is gathered.