According to reports from The Guardian Nigeria on Sunday, May 4, Lere Olayinka, a media aide to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has voiced concern over growing calls to boycott Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank) following the arrest of popular social commentator and activist, Vincent Otse, widely known as VeryDarkMan.
Otse was reportedly detained by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) under controversial circumstances. According to his legal representative, Deji Adeyanju, the activist was held at the bank’s premises before being handed over to the anti-graft agency.
Adeyanju, in a post shared on social media, alleged that Otse was deliberately confined within the exit door of a GTBank branch for several minutes, allowing EFCC officials to arrive and apprehend him and a companion. He further stated that legal action would be pursued against the bank, accusing it of facilitating the arrest in an unprofessional and degrading manner.
“VDM was trapped inside the bank’s exit door for over five minutes before the EFCC came for him,” the lawyer said. “We consider this an unlawful collaboration, and we are preparing to take appropriate legal steps against the institution.”
The incident has sparked widespread reactions online, with some supporters of the activist urging customers to close their accounts and sever ties with GTBank as a form of protest. Adeyanju himself has threatened to withdraw his funds from the bank.
In response to the uproar, Olayinka condemned the boycott campaign, warning that such actions could harm innocent workers whose livelihoods depend on the bank’s operations. He emphasized the need for balance and discretion in expressing grievances.
“If GTBank is shut down over this incident, what happens to the hundreds of employees earning a living there?” Olayinka questioned in a social media post. “Many of them are relatives and friends of those pushing for this boycott. People should apply common sense in matters like this.”
Olayinka further dismissed the outrage as impulsive and exaggerated, urging the public to consider the broader consequences of their actions.
“I’ve been banking with GTBank for nearly two decades,” he said. “Let’s not destroy institutions over individual cases without due process or verified facts.”
The EFCC has yet to issue an official statement regarding the circumstances of Otse’s arrest.
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