A former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Timi Frank, has condemned the arrest of VeryDarkMan by the Economic and Finance Crimes Commission (EFCC), saying he should be released because he is not the enemy of the Nigerian State.
He also called on international donors and other human rights organisations to cease communication with and funding for the EFCC until they release VeryDarkMan.
He called on the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), not only to ensure the immediate release of VeryDarkMan but to “carry out a thorough investigation of all transactions by banks in Nigeria in order to fish out those siphoning customers’ funds unchecked using technology.”
Arise News reports that VeryDarkMan, whose real name is Martins Vincent Otse, was arrested over alleged cyberstalking after visiting a Guarantee Trust Bank branch in Abuja, where he complained about unauthorised deductions from his mother’s account.
The arrest was carried out in a gestapo-like manner by EFCC operatives and he has since been in their cell without being released or charged to court in line with extant laws on detention of suspects after over 48 hours on their cell.
Frank in a statement in Abuja, called for his immediate release while blaming the action on the anti-people policies of an uncaring President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
He said that the government has continued to harass and intimidate journalists and social media influencers who dare to criticise its obnoxious and anti-peoples social-economic policies that have inflicted untold physiological and psychological damage on the the people.
“Security agencies know who to arrest but will not dare. They know the real enemies of the state, those that are killing and maiming innocent Nigerians and destroying farms and property in Borno, Benue and Plateau States. But they would rather clandestinely arrest VeryDarkMan who was protesting against fraud and injustice being meted against his mother and millions of Nigerians operating accounts with Guarantee Trust Bank Limited in broad daylight,” he said.
The political activist lamented that while politicians and former political office holders known to be corrupt walk in and out of EFCC, the commission has found it very necessary to arrest VeryDarkMan and keep him in detention for a long time.
He said that even corruption suspects the EFCC claimed to be prosecuting is a mirage and Nollywood show to fool Nigerians as suspects who are members of the APC have nothing to fear as their “sins”are already “forgiven.”
Frank said, “When did it become the duty of the EFCC to arrest and detain protesters? Is protest an economic crime which is the mandate of the EFCC? Why take over the job of the police in a bid to please Tinubu and his administration? Is it because VeryDarkMan is not among those singing ‘Tinubu, On Your Mandate We Shall Stand?”
“Is this a payback time for VeryDarkMan for exposing the EFCC and some officials of the Nigerian Correctional Service who colluded to make Bobrisky to serve his jail time in a private residential apartment instead of a custodial Centre?”
He called on international donors and other human rights organisations to cease communication with and funding for the EFCC until they release VeryDarkMan.
“It is a pity that a once respected anti-graft agency has become the hounding dog against those opposed to Tinubu and the APC’s misrule”, he said.
He called on Nigerians to rise up against the evil which has turned democracy into dictatorship in Nigeria.
Frank said, “Nigeria is under siege by its elected representatives. Nigeria is under siege by top business outfits rendering essential services to the people. Nigeria is under internal siege but the government is either incapable of checkmating the heinous crimes or colluding with perpetrators and this must not be allowed to continue.
“We all have to come out and join this protest against unjustified and fraudulent deductions from customers’ accounts by banks operating in the country through different guises.
“The banks are doing it. The electricity distribution companies are doing it and the telecommunications companies are neck deep in it. Enough is enough!
“It is heartbreaking that the present administration has demonstrated utter lack of capacity to defend the people from criminals in the forests and those inside well-guarded corporate establishments.
“It is time for Nigerians to take their destiny in their hands and fight for freedom. Those denying Nigerians of their lawful earnings and peace and security must not be allowed to continue.
“They know corrupt politicians who are defecting en masse into the APC but will never go after them. The power they wield is against defenceless citizens protesting against injustice. It is VeryDarkMan today, it may be my turn or your turn tomorrow. The time to speak out and act is now!