The Minority Caucus in the House of Representatives has strongly criticized the arrest and ongoing detention of social activist Martins Otse, widely known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
In a joint statement signed by key opposition leaders—Rep. Kingsley Chinda (Leader), Rt. Hon. Dr. Ali Isa J.C (Minority Whip), Rt. Hon. Aliyu Madaki (Deputy Minority Leader), and Rt. Hon. George Ozodinobi (Deputy Minority Whip)—the caucus warned against the dangerous misuse of state power.
“The disturbing trend of security and law enforcement agencies deploying their powers arbitrarily against citizens exercising their rights to free expression poses grave threats to our democracy,” the lawmakers stated.
They further asserted: “We must state clearly that such acts, cloaked in the guise of enforcement, erode public confidence in the rule of law and undermine the principles of accountability and transparency.”
The caucus condemned Otse’s arrest, which allegedly occurred without a warrant, as unconstitutional. “The arrest of Mr. Otse… is a direct violation of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) that guarantees the liberty of the citizen except in accordance with the due process of law,” they said.
Citing Sections 35(1) and 35(3) of the Constitution, they emphasized that detainees must be promptly informed of charges and cannot be held beyond 24 to 48 hours without trial.
“The continued detention of Mr. Otse beyond the constitutionally permissible period… is not only an abuse of power, it is also a blatant affront to the principles of natural justice and fair hearing.”
The lawmakers demanded immediate action: “The EFCC… must not act outside their bounds… We call on the EFCC to immediately release Mr. Otse or charge him to court in accordance with the law.”
They concluded with a firm warning: “Arbitrary arrests and prolonged detentions of citizens for expressing dissenting or unpopular views must have no place in a democratic society… We will not stand idly by while state agencies abuse their powers to suppress voices that challenge the status quo in line with the laws.”
The statement reinforces the caucus’s stance on protecting civil liberties and upholding Nigeria’s constitutional democracy.
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