Dr. Thomas-Wilson Ikubese Condemns EFCC’s Alleged Abduction of VeryDarkMan, Demands Apology and Immediate Release
Dr. Thomas-Wilson Ikubese, former presidential aspirant and convener of the YesWeFit Revolutionary Movement, has strongly criticized the reported abduction of Nigerian social media influencer Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
In a statement issued from Akure, Ondo State, Dr. Ikubese expressed deep concern over the troubling nature of VDM’s detention—especially the EFCC’s silence more than 48 hours after the incident. He described the arrest as both embarrassing and demeaning, arguing that it lacked transparency and due process.
“While we wait for the EFCC to clarify the allegations that led to VDM’s detention, I must express my strongest disapproval of the manner in which he was taken. This was not an arrest; it was an abduction, plain and simple,” Ikubese stated.
He emphasized that the EFCC, under the law, has the mandate to investigate and prosecute financial crimes, but that authority must be exercised with respect for legal procedures and human dignity. “If VDM is suspected of any wrongdoing, he should have been formally invited for questioning, and if necessary, arraigned in a competent court of law,” he said.
Ikubese further asserted, “Only if he had failed to honor a lawful invitation should arrest have been considered. Even if the EFCC claims to have had a warrant, the way it was carried out—storming in with a commando-style operation—was uncalled for. It humiliated a citizen who, to the best of our knowledge, neither resisted arrest nor posed any threat.”
He expressed alarm that nearly two full days had passed without an official statement from the EFCC, calling it unacceptable in a democratic society.
Dr. Ikubese urged the Federal Ministry of Justice, especially the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, to compel the EFCC to issue a formal public apology to both VDM and his associate, C-park, for what he described as their unjust and degrading treatment. He also gave the EFCC a clear ultimatum: “Either charge VDM in court by Monday, May 5, 2025, or release him unconditionally.”
Calling for solidarity, Ikubese appealed to civil society organizations, human rights defenders, religious leaders, and the international community to rise and speak out. “This is not just about VDM,” he said. “Today, it is him. Tomorrow, it could be any one of us. We must not normalize such abuse of power.”
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