Femi Falana Challenges EFCC on VeryDarkMan’s Arrest, Says Lawyer

Prominent human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, has reached out to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) concerning the arrest and ongoing detention of popular social media activist Martins Vincent Otse, widely known as VeryDarkMan (VDM).

The development was confirmed on Wednesday by VDM’s legal counsel, Deji Adeyanju, who made the disclosure via a post shared on his official X handle.

“I have now confirmed, contrary to my previous post the other day, that our revered leader and mentor, Femi Falana SAN, has made several calls to EFCC challenging VDM’s unlawful arrest and detention,” Adeyanju stated.

The statement marks a significant shift in the high-profile case, which has attracted considerable public attention and criticism following VDM’s arrest last Friday in Abuja. The exact details of the allegations leading to his detention remain unclear, sparking widespread concerns about due process and freedom of speech.

Adeyanju had previously expressed disappointment over what he perceived as Falana’s silence, stating, “Our revered leader and mentor, Femi Falana SAN yet to condemn the arrest of VDM. Interesting times indeed!”

With confirmation of Falana’s involvement, attention is now turning to the EFCC to provide clarity regarding the legal basis for VDM’s continued detention.

VDM, known for his bold commentary on social and political issues, has amassed a large following on social media. His arrest has fueled public outcry, with many calling for transparency, accountability, and the protection of civil liberties.

So far, neither the EFCC nor Falana has issued an official statement beyond Adeyanju’s confirmation. However, Falana’s intervention is seen as a potential turning point in efforts to resolve the legal and public debate surrounding the case.

See Post Below:

https://twitter.com/adeyanjudeji/status/1920059932654629054