Deji Adeyanju, the lawyer representing popular online personality Martins Vincent Otse, also known as VeryDarkMan, has accused officers of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) of labeling his client a “bandit,” blindfolding him, and physically assaulting him during a controversial arrest
The allegations were made in an official statement posted on X (formerly Twitter) by Adeyanju’s law firm, detailing the events surrounding the arrest of Otse and his associate, Steven Avuara, also known as C-Pack.
According to the statement titled Preliminary Statement on the Arrest of Mr. Martins Vincent Otse (aka Very Dark Black Man) and Mr. Steven Avuara (aka C-Pack) by Officers of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, the incident occurred on May 2, 2025. It followed a visit by Otse, his mother Mrs. Blessing Otse, and Avuara to Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank) in Garki, Area 3, Abuja, to complain about “incessant deductions” from Mrs. Otse’s bank account.
After their inquiry, the trio attempted to leave but were allegedly “trapped in the bank’s security door for over five minutes.” Upon exiting, they were reportedly “accosted at gunpoint just a few metres from the bank’s premises, assaulted, and blindfolded by armed men dressed in black uniforms.”
The statement claims the officers called them “bandits” and even threatened to shoot them in the presence of Otse’s mother.
Upon hearing of the arrest, Adeyanju’s colleagues, Marvin Omorogbe and Steven Eze, visited the EFCC headquarters and confirmed that Otse and Avuara were being held by personnel of the Commission’s Special Duty Committee (SDC), Unit 4.
Although the lawyers were denied access to Otse—who reportedly “declined to see anybody”—they were able to speak with Avuara, who recounted the events.
Efforts to determine the reason for Avuara’s detention were unsuccessful, as EFCC officers allegedly refused to disclose any allegations against him. Instead, they presented an arrest warrant for Otse, reportedly issued by Chief Magistrate Njideka Iloanya-Duru of Wuse Zone 2, based on an allegation of cyberstalking.
Despite several requests for clarification, the EFCC allegedly tried to interrogate Avuara without stating the charges against him. The lawyers said they left the interrogation room in protest, insisting that the move violated Avuara’s constitutional right to be informed of the accusations.
The statement concluded by urging the EFCC to uphold the constitutional rights of their clients as discussions between both parties continue.
