Activist Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), has spoken out following his recent arrest and detention by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over allegations of money laundering.
In a viral video released online, VDM alleged that the EFCC still has his mobile phone and suggested they may never return it.
He further claimed the agency logged him out of his iCloud account, thereby gaining access to sensitive videos and evidence stored on the device.
“My phone is currently with the EFCC, but I bought another one after I was released. When I tried to log into my iCloud account, I realised I could no longer access it,” he said.
VDM also issued a warning to the EFCC, cautioning the agency against publishing his photograph with any caption linking him to money laundering without context or evidence.
“EFCC, I want us to start a friendship, but what could ruin that friendship is if you people post the picture you took of me and label it as money laundering,” he warned.
“If you post that picture claiming it’s about money laundering, then you should also release the full context behind it,” he added.
VDM emphasized that any misleading publication would be met with legal action.
“If I see my picture on your website with a caption suggesting money laundering, you’ll have to prove it. That’s where our issue will begin, and we will settle it in court. It might even become the first open court case of its kind,” he stated.
“If you truly want friendship, remove any association of that image with money laundering, because it’s a lie against me. I don’t mind anything else you put up, no problem. In fact, I even want to use your placard as my profile picture,” he said.
VDM concluded by reiterating concerns about the seizure of his device and potential misuse of his private data.
“They didn’t just keep my phone, they logged me out of my iCloud account, meaning they now have access to everything on that phone, including many videos and pieces of evidence”
“I have a strong feeling they won’t return the phone. And even if they do, the phone is as good as gone.”
