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 order was issued in response to a criminal defamation case filed against him by renowned gospel singer Mercy Chinwo.
In his ruling, Magistrate Emmanuel Iyana ordered the Nigeria Police Force and other law enforcement agencies to arrest VDM and present him before the court to respond to the criminal allegations brought against him by the gospel singer.
The court noted that the defendant failed to comply with a summons issued on March 5, which required his appearance for the proceedings.
Despite a passionate plea from the defendant’s counsel, Mr. Deji Adeyanju, who was present in court, Magistrate Iyana refused to revoke the arrest order. Adeyanju had requested the court’s permission to personally ensure his client’s appearance on the next adjourned date.
VDM was specifically accused of making defamatory statements against the singer on his social media page.
He allegedly claimed that Mercy Chinwo was involved in a contractual dispute over the purported diversion of $345,000 linked to her former record label boss, Ezekiel Onyedikachukwu, also known as Eezee Tee.
Outraged by the allegation, which she described as false and damaging to her public image and reputation, the gospel singer presented documentary evidence before the court, including emails and payment receipts, to prove her innocence.
The complainant’s legal team, led by Mr. Pelumi Olajengbesi, argued that the defendant’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 counsel had previously filed a ₦1.1 billion lawsuit against VDM at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
The lawyer urged the court to order the defendant to delete the alleged defamatory statements, issue a retraction, and publicly apologize for the claims made against Chinwo and her brand.
