The Security Situation Room has called for the arrest, investigation and prosecution of social media activist Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM) over statements he allegedly made at the Nigerian Bar Association National Conference concerning the involvement of security agencies in kidnapping.
In a statement signed by its Convener, Douglas Ogbankwa, Esq., the group said it had taken note of a recent apology issued by VDM over his remarks at the conference but maintained that the apology should not, in its view, bring the matter to an end.
The organisation titled its statement, “Apology Is Not An Eraser: Accountability Must Prevail,” and argued that an apology made after an alleged wrongdoing should not prevent relevant authorities from examining whether any law was breached.
“Apology does not erase a crime. It is an admission of culpability,” the group stated, contending that an apology after the fact amounts, in its view, to an acknowledgment that a wrong had been committed.
The Security Situation Room said VDM had allegedly stated at the NBA conference that “the Army and the Police connive with kidnappers,” describing the claim as reckless, unsubstantiated and capable of undermining public confidence in Nigeria’s security institutions.
According to the group, remarks of that nature, when made on a national platform, go beyond ordinary criticism because of their potential impact on public trust in the military and police.
It argued that the statements should be examined under the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015, as amended, particularly provisions dealing with the dissemination of allegedly false information and statements capable of causing public disorder or undermining constituted authority.
The group’s interpretation of the applicable law remains its legal position, and any criminal liability would ultimately have to be established through investigation and due process before a competent court.
The Security Situation Room also stressed that while citizens have a constitutional right to criticise government and public institutions, such freedom, in its view, does not extend to making defamatory, reckless or unverified allegations.
“In a democracy governed by law, freedom of speech does not include the freedom to defame and destabilize,” the statement read.
It added that the right to criticise government and security agencies must be protected, but argued that citizens should equally be held accountable where statements cross the boundaries established by law.
The group consequently demanded that VDM be arrested, thoroughly investigated and arraigned before a competent court, adding that if found guilty after trial, he should be punished in accordance with the law.
“No citizen, no matter how popular, is above the law. The law must take its course to serve as a deterrent to others,” the statement said.
The Security Situation Room further called on relevant security and prosecutorial agencies to act on the matter, arguing that failure to respond to allegations of such magnitude could have consequences for public confidence in state institutions.
“Silence in the face of such allegations is tantamount to endorsement,” the group stated.
The statement was signed by Douglas Ogbankwa, Esq., Convener of the Security Situation Room.
The demand by the group does not amount to a finding of criminal liability against VDM. Whether his remarks constitute any offence under Nigerian law would depend on the precise words used, their context, the applicable statutory provisions and any evidence presented before a competent court.
