Why Lawmakers Threaten to Arrest VDM: Details Emerge
Social media critic Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), has refused to testify against officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Haliru Nababa, the controller-general of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), during a session of the House of Representatives joint committee on financial crimes and reformatory institutions.
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VDM was summoned to speak on a recent video he shared, in which Idris Okuneye (Bobrisky) claimed to have bribed EFCC officials to drop money laundering charges against him. In the same video, Bobrisky purportedly stated that he did not serve his six-month prison sentence in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Service.
Upon his appearance before the committee on Monday, VDM declined to proceed with his testimony, citing Bobrisky’s absence from the hearing. “If I say anything, let me die,” VDM declared, arriving at the green chamber in traditional attire and accompanied by his lawyer, Deji Adeyanju.
He was expected to testify on allegations that Bobrisky bribed EFCC officials with N15 million. Bobrisky, sentenced to six months in prison for abusing the naira, was released on August 5. He allegedly served his sentence in a private apartment arranged by his “godfather” and Haliru Nababa.
Ola Olukoyode, EFCC chairman, was represented at the hearing by his chief of staff, Michael Nzekwe, while Nababa was also present. However, Bobrisky’s absence brought the proceedings to a standstill.
Bobrisky’s lawyer, Avwerosuoghene Omuvwie, attended the session, but due to Bobrisky’s absence, VDM refused to testify. “I will not speak until Bobrisky is here,” VDM stated, prompting some lawmakers to call for his arrest for defying the oath he took.
Adeyanju supported his client’s decision, asserting, “Bob must be here for us to present the evidence.” Despite pressure from the committee to proceed, VDM remained silent.
Afterward, VDM left the podium and engaged in a private discussion with his legal counsel.