Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, on Thursday challenged the Nigerian Police to take him to court over an invitation extended to him by the Nigeria Police Force, said he was prepared to honour the invitation but would prefer to present his evidence in court.
Otse, during a panel session at the ongoing conference of the Nigeria Bar Association, NBA, alleged that officers of the police and the military aid kidnapping and banditry in Nigeria.
The police had consequently invited Otse to provide evidence backing his allegation that police officers manning checkpoints identify wealthy travellers and pass information about them to kidnappers to facilitate their abduction.
The Force described the allegation as serious, unsubstantiated and damaging to the institution, while saying any evidence presented by the activist would be treated with urgency and thoroughly investigated.
Reacting to the invitation via a video posted on his Instagram page, Otse said, “I’m not going to be giving the police my evidence. Why would I do that? I would be charged to court, and I would turn down the evidence in court,”
He said his lawyers were ready and challenged the police to charge him to court if they believed he had committed an offence.
“So when I get to your office, you charge me to court. I can go to court on that same day. My lawyers are on ground,” he said.
The activist, via same video, maintained his earlier allegation that security agencies were aiding insecurity in the country, saying the police, military, immigration and customs knew what was happening.
“It is the police people that aid insecurity. It is the military men that benefit from insecurity. That’s why it can never stop,” he alleged.
“But like I said, why would I want to give you my evidence? I wouldn’t do that. Who would take you to court? You understand? When you’re ready, I’m ready. Face the love, don’t play,” he said.
Otse also accused Nigerians of defending security agencies after his allegations, despite routinely criticising the police and military over insecurity.
He said his comments were aimed at holding public institutions accountable and maintained that he stood by his allegations.
“I’m proud of myself that right in their faces I said what I had to say and to tell them that the insecurity going on in Nigeria, it is aided by them. I stand by my words,” he said
