Human rights activist Omoyele Sowore has argued that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) does not have the legal authority to prosecute individuals for criminal defamation, libel, or other related offenses. Sowore made this statement in a post on his Facebook page, following the detention of prominent activist Martins Vincent Otse, also known as VDM.
According to Starnews NG, VDM was arrested by the Nigerian police in Abuja after he visited a Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank) branch to report unauthorized transactions on his mother’s account. Sowore reacted by stating,
"It has been established that the EFCC 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."
He continued,
"The EFCC is currently exploring legal avenues to charge him to court, possibly tomorrow, in an attempt to legitimize their actions. Nevertheless, it is essential to state unequivocally that the EFCC does not possess the authority to prosecute individuals for criminal defamation, criminal libel, or cybercrime, as these are torts typically addressed through civil lawsuits."
Sowore called for the immediate release of VDM, stressing that the EFCC's actions are unlawful.
