OPINION: VDM, His Lawyer And Why He Is Still Being Held

In the age of digital activism and citizen journalism, the line between professional reporting and social media advocacy has become increasingly blurred. One name that has sparked intense debate in this space is VDM a social media activist whose bold exposés on corruption and public mismanagement have earned both admiration and scrutiny. Yet, his recent detention by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) raises serious questions about the responsibilities and risks associated with activism, especially when it lacks the foundational backing of professional training.

In today’s hyperconnected world, social media platforms have become powerful tools for advocacy. Activists like VDM use them to expose corruption, demand accountability from public officials, mobilize public opinion and share insider information from whistleblowers

However, while these actions mirror the responsibilities of a professional they often lack the ethical and procedural safeguards that come with formal training.

Professional journalism is governed by a code of ethics that includes, protecting the identity of sources, verifying information before publication, avoiding harm to individuals or institutions, ensuring public interest is served without compromising legal boundaries.

When activists like VDM operate outside this framework, they risk violating ethical and legal norms, even if their intentions are noble. This is where I have issues with VDM. His intentions are noble but the procedures he most times apply are unprofessional.

Whistleblowers are critical to uncovering wrongdoing within institutions. They often provide insider documents, first-hand testimony and evidence of fraud or abuse

These individuals take significant personal risks to expose the truth. In many countries, including Nigeria, laws exist to protect them, but only if their identities remain confidential.

When VDM publicly claimed to have informants within the EFCC, he may have inadvertently exposed the identities of those informants, compromised ongoing investigations and violated national security protocols

This breach of confidentiality could explain why the EFCC is holding him without a public statement — they may be conducting a deeper forensic investigation into his communication.
VDM’s legal team has remained tight-lipped about the specifics of his arrest. This could be due to ongoing investigations that are yet to be concluded, the sensitive nature of the information involved and the potential legal breaches that could worsen his case if publicly discussed

The EFCC is likely going to analyze VDM’s phone records, reviewing his social media activities, tracing communication with potential whistleblowers. This process takes time and could uncover evidence that further implicates him or at the very least, justifies his continued detention.

Activism without education can be dangerous. It often leads to misinformation, poor strategic planning, legal vulnerabilities and loss of credibility. An educated activist understands the legal limits, ethical boundaries, and strategic nuances of advocacy.

VDM’s situation underscores the need for activists to seek formal education in media ethics, investigative journalism, legal frameworks for whistleblower protection, digital security and source confidentiality

Such training would have equipped him to handle sensitive information more responsibly, potentially avoiding the legal quagmire he now faces.

Author: Jakpa Bemigho

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