An Abuja Chief Magistrate Court in Wuse Zone 6 issued a bench warrant on Thursday for the arrest of controversial social media activist Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM).
The arrest order stemmed from a criminal defamation case filed against him by renowned gospel singer Mercy Chinwo.
In his ruling, Magistrate Emmanuel Iyana directed the Nigeria Police Force and other law enforcement agencies to apprehend VDM and present him before the court to answer to the allegations made by Chinwo.
The court noted that the defendant had failed to comply with a summons issued on March 5, requiring him to appear for the proceedings.
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Despite an appeal from VDM’s lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, who was present in court, the magistrate refused to revoke the arrest order.
Adeyanju had pleaded to personally ensure his client’s appearance at the next hearing.
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VDM is accused of making defamatory statements against Chinwo on his social media page, alleging that she was involved in a contractual dispute over the diversion of $345,000 linked to her former record label boss, Ezekiel Onyedikachukwu, also known as Eezee Tee.
Chinwo, who described the claims as false and damaging to her reputation, presented documentary evidence, including emails and payment receipts, to refute the allegations.
Her legal team, led by Pelumi Olajengbesi, argued that VDM’s actions violated Section 391 of the Penal Code and Section 24(1)(B) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act 2015.
Additionally, Chinwo’s lawyers have filed a separate ₦1.1 billion lawsuit against VDM at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, seeking an order for him to delete, retract, and publicly apologize for the alleged defamatory statements.
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