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Abuja, May 2, 2025 — The law firm representing social media personality Martins Vincent Otse, widely known as Very Dark Black Man (VDM), and his associate, Steven Avuara (C-Pack), has condemned their arrest by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), describing it as “a violation of constitutional rights and due process.”

In a preliminary statement issued by Deji Adeyanju & Partners, the firm detailed the events leading to the dramatic arrest, which occurred earlier today just outside the Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank) in Garki, Area 3, Abuja.

“Earlier today, May 2, 2025, our attention was drawn to the fact that our clients, Mr. Martins Vincent Otse (AKA Very Dark Black Man) and Mr. Steven Avuara (AKA C-Pack), were arrested by officers of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), immediately after they exited Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB) Ltd’s premises at Garki, Area 3, Abuja,” the statement read.

According to the firm, Mr. Otse, his mother Mrs. Blessing Otse, and Mr. Avuara had visited the bank to inquire about “incessant deductions” from Mrs. Otse’s account. After completing their inquiries, they attempted to leave but “were locked in the bank’s security door for over five minutes.”

“Shortly thereafter, they were accosted at gunpoint a few metres outside the bank’s premises, beaten and blindfolded by some armed men wearing black uniforms,” the statement continued.

Following the arrest, Deji Adeyanju & Partners dispatched senior lawyers to the EFCC headquarters in Jabi, Abuja, where it was confirmed that the clients were being held by the Commission’s Special Duty Committee (SDC) Unit 4. The team was informed that Mr. Otse declined to see anyone, while Mr. Avuara was willing to speak.

From their interaction with Mr. Avuara, the firm learned that the EFCC officers labeled them “bandits” and allegedly threatened to shoot them in the presence of Mrs. Otse.

“He narrated that they were beaten, blindfolded, and transported under duress to EFCC headquarters,” the statement said, adding, “At the time of this statement, we are unable to confirm the whereabouts of Mrs. Otse.”

Further efforts to clarify the charges were met with resistance. The firm’s representatives met with a lead EFCC officer identified as Mr. Chukwu, who reportedly refused to disclose the specific allegations against Mr. Avuara. Instead, they were shown an arrest warrant allegedly issued by Chief Magistrate Njideka Iloanya-Duru on charges of cyberstalking against Mr. Otse.

“Despite repeated requests, the EFCC’s officers refused to disclose the specific allegation against Mr. Avuara, but only showed our colleagues an arrest warrant… on the allegation of cyberstalking,” wrote Zainab M. Otega, Esq., in a subsequent statement.

Otega criticized the interrogation attempt by EFCC officers who sought to question Mr. Avuara “without first informing him of the allegations against him.” She added, “In order not to legitimise the clear breach of Mr. Avuara’s constitutional right to be informed of the allegations against him, our colleagues exited the interrogation room and the EFCC Headquarters.”

The firm has called on the EFCC to respect their clients’ “constitutionally guaranteed rights” and pledged to “continue to interface with the EFCC on this issue.”

As public interest in the case surges, the EFCC has yet to issue an official statement on the arrests or the fate of Mrs. Otse.

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