Social media influencer Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VDM, has confirmed he will honour an invitation from the Nigeria Police Force after the case was transferred to the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) at Force Headquarters in Abuja.
His lawyers, Deji Adeyanju & Partners, said in a statement on Wednesday that VDM has always been ready to cooperate with 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 firm stated.
The lawyers insisted the process must be transparent, fair and capable of inspiring public confidence. They asked that VDM’s legal team be allowed to accompany him during the interview and that representatives of the Nigerian Bar Association, civil society groups and other independent observers be permitted to monitor the proceedings.
Separately, VDM expressed concern about the possibility of being set up and requested additional safeguards. He called for the interview to be broadcast live by accredited television stations or recognised broadcast organisations to prevent misinformation. He also restated his demand for the presence of his lawyers and independent observers, stressing that the requests were made in good faith and were not intended to interfere with the police’s statutory powers.
Earlier, a lawyer from T. O. Teke Law Office wrote to the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Zone 2, Lagos, seeking clearer details about the original invitation issued by the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre, Lagos Annex. The letter asked for the specific offence under investigation, the legal basis for the invitation, the identities of two individuals referred to as “Bode” and “Kenny,” the date and place of burial if Kenny is deceased, any related police report, and documentary evidence of alleged financial transactions involving the two individuals.
The lawyer had also argued that the interview should take place in Abuja, where VDM resides and where the National Cybercrime Centre headquarters is located, rather than Lagos. That request has now been overtaken by the transfer of the case to the Force Headquarters in Abuja.
Legal practitioner Awele Chukwukaumemma welcomed the move to Abuja, saying it would help protect the credibility of the investigation. Citing the principle of nemo judex in causa sua, she argued that conducting the probe outside the command of the senior police officer involved would reduce concerns about possible bias. She suggested that both VDM and the AIG should be invited to Force Headquarters for the investigation.
She advised VDM to comply with the invitation through lawful channels and to channel any concerns formally through his lawyers rather than public statements, noting that his influence on followers carries responsibility.
The Nigeria Police Force has not yet publicly responded to the latest requests from VDM’s legal team regarding the conduct of the investigation at the Force Criminal Investigation Department in Abuja.
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