Obi noted that VeryDarkMan’s arrest was “carried out in a manner that left many Nigerians unsettled.”
By Kehinde Okeowo
Labour Party (LP) 2023 presidential Peter Obi has condemned the recent arrest of social media critic, Martin Vincent Otse, better known as VeryDarkMan, by security operatives, saying it looked like an “abduction”.
He made this known on Sunday in a statement he made available to reporters following the incident.
VeryDarkMan’s lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, had earlier said his client was picked up on Friday shortly after he visited a Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank) branch in Abuja to complain about alleged unauthorized transactions from his mother’s account.
He added that the social media influencer was subsequently detained by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC).
Reacting to the development, Obi said perhaps the arrest was within the legal rights of security agencies but it was “carried out in a manner that left many Nigerians unsettled”.
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He said: “The display of force, lacking in transparency and civility, closely resembled an abduction, a disturbing method that not only creates fear but also risks being mimicked by criminal elements. If Nigerians begin to struggle to distinguish between legitimate arrests and unlawful abductions, we will lose a vital layer of national security and accountability.
“This trend is not new. We must recall that even our esteemed judges, the last line of defence for justice, have suffered similar indignities in recent years. When those who interpret the law are treated with such disregard, it is difficult to expect that ordinary citizens will feel protected under the law.”
Speaking on Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank) allege link to the circumstances surrounding VeryDarkMan’s arrest, the former Anambra state governor warned that the financial institution might suffer serious reputational consequences.
Obi added: “At a time when investor confidence is already fragile, we must do all we can to avoid actions that tarnish institutions or undermine the trust of both citizens and the international community.
“One cannot help but ask: was it impossible to invite Mr. Otse in a civil, transparent, and legal manner? Would that not have spared Nigerians, GTBank, and our national image the unnecessary shame and losses we now witness?”
