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“Silencing the Truth”: Sowore Slams EFCC Over VeryDarkMan Arrest, Alleges Abuse of Power and Corruption Cover-Up

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"Silencing the Truth": Sowore Slams EFCC Over VeryDarkMan Arrest, Alleges Abuse of Power and Corruption Cover-Up

“Silencing the Truth”: Sowore Slams EFCC Over VeryDarkMan Arrest, Alleges Abuse of Power and Corruption Cover-Up

Abuja, Nigeria – Human rights activist and former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, has accused the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) of using its power to silence outspoken social media critic, Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM).

In a strongly worded statement released via his official X (formerly Twitter) account, Sowore described VDM’s arrest and continued detention as “unlawful” and part of a broader plot to intimidate critics of the anti-graft agency.

“It has been established that the @officialEFCC unlawfully arrested and detained Martins Vincent Otse aka VDM, as a means to silence him for accusing the agency and its leaders of corruption and malfeasance,” Sowore wrote.

The popular activist was arrested last Friday in Wuse, Abuja, allegedly after visiting a GTBank branch with his mother to resolve complaints about suspicious debits. The arrest, carried out by a joint force including EFCC operatives, DSS, and Nigeria Police, triggered public outrage and a trending online campaign under the hashtag #FreeVDM.

Sowore claimed the arrest was a deliberate tactic to suppress dissent, especially in light of VDM’s bold accusations against the EFCC and its leadership in recent weeks.

“The @officialEFCC is currently exploring legal avenues to charge him in court, possibly tomorrow, in an attempt to legitimize their actions,” he added.

He further questioned the legality of the EFCC’s actions, arguing that the agency lacks jurisdiction over cases involving defamation, libel, or cybercrime, which are civil, not criminal matters under Nigerian law.

“It is essential to state unequivocally that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission @officialEFCC does not possess the authority to prosecute individuals for criminal defamation, criminal libel, or cybercrime,” Sowore said, adding that “the EFCC must release VDM immediately.”

The EFCC has yet to issue an official statement on the specific allegations or the basis of VDM’s detention. Meanwhile, human rights groups and civil liberty advocates have joined the chorus of voices calling for due process, transparency, and the activist’s unconditional release.

As pressure mounts, questions continue to swirl about whether the EFCC’s actions are a genuine pursuit of justice or a weaponization of law enforcement against dissenters.

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Tinubu Seeks Nigerians Forgiveness During Ramadan, Calls for National Reconciliation

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Tinubu Seeks Nigerians Forgiveness During Ramadan, Calls for National Reconciliation

By George Omagbemi Sylvester | Published by SaharaWeeklyNG

“At State House Tafsir in Abuja, President urges unity, tolerance, and prayers for stability as he reaffirms commitment to tackling Nigeria’s economic and security challenges.”

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appealed to Nigerians for forgiveness over any perceived wrongdoing, urging citizens to embrace reconciliation and unity during the holy month of Ramadan.

Speaking during a Ramadan Tafsir held at the State House in Abuja, the President said, “If I have sinned against you, forgive me as Nigerians,” stressing the importance of forgiveness, tolerance, and national cohesion.

Tinubu noted that Ramadan represents a period of spiritual reflection, self-discipline, and compassion, calling on Nigerians to use the season to promote peace and mutual understanding across religious and ethnic divides.

The President also encouraged citizens to pray for the nation’s stability and progress, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to addressing economic and security challenges facing the country.

The Ramadan Tafsir, an annual religious gathering attended by government officials, Islamic scholars, and dignitaries, forms part of activities marking the fasting period observed by Muslims worldwide.

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You Against Crime Founder Tayo Folorunsho Praises Winners of Abuja Schools Festival.

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You Against Crime Founder Tayo Folorunsho Praises Winners of Abuja Schools Festival.

 

Abuja, Nigeria – The maiden edition of the You Against Crime – Schools Festival 2026 Grand Finale has concluded, marking a significant milestone in youth engagement and crime prevention efforts across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The event, held at the University of Abuja, brought together 78 secondary schools from the six Area Councils of Abuja, with the top six schools competing in the Grand Finale.

*Winners Emerge*

Tudunwada School, Bwari took the top spot, followed closely by The Golden Crest Royal in second place, and Government Secondary School, Kuje in third.

*CULTURE, THE CURE FOR CRIME*

The festival’s theme, “Culture, The Cure for Crime,” highlighted the importance of values, identity, mentorship, and positive engagement in preventing crime and shaping responsible citizenship among young people.

*DISTINGUISHED GUEST SPEAKERS*

Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, Chairman, Amnesty International, praised the initiative, saying, “This festival is a beacon of hope for our young people, promoting values and principles that can shape a brighter future for Nigeria.”

Aisha Mohammed, Head of Enlightenment & Re-orientation, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, emphasized the importance of mentorship, stating, “Empowering young people with the right guidance and opportunities is key to preventing crime and building a stronger nation.”

*PARTNERSHIP AND SUPPORT*

The 2026 Grand Finale Edition was proudly sponsored by Civicx Technology Ltd Int’l, reinforcing a shared commitment to youth empowerment and crime prevention through cultural reorientation and innovation.

Tayo Folorunsho, Host & Founder, You Against Crime International, addressing the media and appealed to government agencies to support initiatives like this, targeting young minds early.

You Against Crime International is a movement advocating cultural change as a long-term solution to crime. The organization remains committed to advancing youth development, civic responsibility, and nation-building across Nigeria.

You Against Crime Founder Tayo Folorunsho Praises Winners of Abuja Schools Festival.

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TICP Customs Launches Paperless Regime, Warns Against False Declarations

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TICP Customs Launches Paperless Regime, Warns Against False Declarations

 

The Customs Area Controller of Tin Can Island Port Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Comptroller Frank Onyeka, has launched a roadmap for the full implementation of a paperless regime at the command.

 

Onyeka disclosed this during a press briefing in Lagos, stating that the command was fully prepared for seamless digital operations ahead of the nationwide rollout scheduled for the second quarter of the year.

 

He described the engagement as the first in a series of consultations aimed at sensitising stakeholders on the strategies, operational framework and expectations under the new regime.

 

The controller commended the media for its constructive reportage since his assumption of office and sought continued collaboration to ensure the success of the initiative.

 

Presenting the command’s performance report, Onyeka said the Tin Can Island Command generated ₦609 billion in revenue in 2025, describing it as the highest in the history of the command.

 

He added that revenue collection rose from ₦116 billion recorded in January of the previous year to ₦145 billion in the corresponding period last month, representing an increase of over ₦29.9 billion.

 

Onyeka stated that his vision was to make the command known for trade efficiency, explaining that under the paperless regime, containers would be released without physical contact between Customs officers and clearing agents, provided declarations were accurate.

 

He credited the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, for providing the leadership and strategic direction driving modernisation efforts across Customs formations nationwide.

 

The controller urged stakeholders to avoid false declarations and engage directly with the command to resolve concerns, emphasising that transparency and dialogue were essential to achieving efficient port operations.

 

He assured that consignments with clear scanning results and proper documentation would be released promptly, while those flagged by the risk management system would undergo physical examination, adding that the command would continue to collaborate with other agencies to reduce cargo dwell time and enhance port efficiency.

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