Social media influencer Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VDM, has agreed to honour the Nigeria Police Force’s invitation after his case was transferred to the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID), Force Headquarters, Abuja.
The move comes amid mounting public interest and growing calls for an impartial investigation.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, Deji Adeyanju & Partners confirmed that VDM is prepared to cooperate fully with the police, stressing that he has never opposed any lawful investigation.
“Our client has never opposed any lawful investigation. On the contrary, he remains ready, willing and available to honour any invitation lawfully extended to him by the Nigeria Police Force,” the statement read.
However, his legal team insisted that the investigation must be transparent, fair and capable of inspiring public confidence. They requested that VDM’s lawyers be allowed to accompany him throughout the interview and that representatives of the Nigerian Bar Association, civil society organisations and other independent observers be permitted to monitor the proceedings.
VDM also expressed fears that he could be “set up” during the investigation. To eliminate any possibility of misinformation or misrepresentation, he urged the police to allow the interview to be broadcast live by accredited television stations or other recognised media organisations.
He maintained that the requests were made in good faith and were not intended to interfere with the statutory powers of the police.
Meanwhile, a lawyer from T. O. Teke Law Office has written to the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Zone 2, Lagos, seeking clarification over the earlier invitation issued to VDM by the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre, Lagos Annex.
The lawyer demanded details of the alleged offence under investigation, the legal basis for the invitation, the identities of two individuals identified as “Bode” and “Kenny,” as well as documentary evidence of alleged financial transactions linked to them.
The letter also requested information regarding Kenny’s alleged death, including the date, place of burial and any police report connected to the incident.
It further argued that since VDM resides in Abuja and the National Cybercrime Centre headquarters is located in the Federal Capital Territory, the interview should be held in Abuja—a request that has effectively been granted following the transfer of the case to the FCID at the Force Headquarters.
Copies of the correspondence were sent to the Inspector-General of Police, the Head of the National Cybercrime Centre, the officer in charge of the Lagos Annex and the National Human Rights Commission.
Legal practitioner Awele Chukwukaumemma also backed the transfer of the investigation to Abuja, arguing that it would enhance the credibility of the process.
Citing the legal principle of Nemo Judex in causa sua, she said moving the investigation away from the command where the senior police officer involved is based would help address concerns about possible bias.
She also advised VDM to comply with the police invitation through lawful channels and communicate any concerns through his lawyers rather than on social media, warning that his public comments could influence his large following.
The Nigeria Police Force is yet to publicly respond to the latest requests made by VDM’s legal team regarding how the investigation will be conducted following the case’s transfer to the Force Headquarters in Abuja.If you’d like, I can also make the headline even more viral in a tabloid style.
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