VDM: Why I Was Arrested

SOCIAL media rights activist, Martins Otse, disclosed that he was arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) because they suspected him of being involved in money laundering, insisting in a viral video on social media shortly after his released on administrative bail on Wednesday, May 7, that he does not possess the kind of wealth that would justify such suspicions.
According to him: “They think I am into money laundering. How would they put money laundering for person wey no get money? I have done so many charities, and them they wonder how. They don’t know that I use debt for charity. Anyway, we are outside, with my lawyer, of course.”
VDM was arrested on Friday, May 2, outside the premises of Guaranty Trust Bank in Abuja, where he had gone to make some enquiries.
His arrest and subsequent detention led to widespread reactions across the country, with his fans and celebrities staging protests at bank’s and EFCC offices against what they called his unlawful detention.
However, the social critic was released on Wednesday evening after spending five days in EFCC custody.
His lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, confirmed the development, saying: “He has been released.”
Recall that EFCC had in a statement by its Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, said VDM was granted administrative bail, but remained in detension, pending the fulfillment of his bail conditions.
Oyewale disclosed that VDM was invited for questioning multiple times, through known addresses and communication channels, but failed to honour the invitations, prompting EFCC to secure a lawful remand order for his arrest.