Former Presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has condemned how the popular social media critic, Martin Vincent Otse, also known as VeryDarkMan, VDM, was arrested by security operatives.<\/p>\n
Reports indicated that VDM was arrested on Friday shortly after he visited a Guaranty Trust Bank, GTBank, branch in Abuja to complain about alleged unauthorised transactions from his mother\u2019s account.<\/p>\n
He was subsequently detained by the Economic and Financial Crime Commission, EFCC, according to his lawyer, Deji Adeyanju.<\/p>\n
Reacting, Obi in a statement on Sunday, said perhaps the arrest was within the legal rights of security agencies, but it was \u201ccarried out in a manner that left many Nigerians unsettled\u201d.<\/p>\n
Obi said the \u201cdisplay 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.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf Nigerians begin to struggle to distinguish between legitimate arrests and unlawful abductions, we will lose a vital layer of national security and accountability.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis 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.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen those who interpret the law are treated with such disregard, it is difficult to expect that ordinary citizens will feel protected under the law.<\/p>\n
\u201cMoreover, these methods are beginning to affect our economy and business environment. The backlash directed at GTBank, allegedly linked to the circumstances surrounding Mr. Otse\u2019s arrest, has had serious reputational consequences.<\/p>\n
\u201cAt 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.<\/p>\n
\u201cOne 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?\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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