ABUJA– On Thursday, a Chief Magistrate Court in Wuse Zone 6, Abuja, issued a bench warrant for the arrest of social media activist Martins Otse, known as VeryDarkMan (VDM).
This arrest order stems from a criminal defamation case filed by well-known gospel singer Mercy Chinwo.
Magistrate Emmanuel Iyana directed the Nigeria Police Force and other law enforcement agencies to apprehend VDM and bring him to court to respond to the allegations made against him by the singer.
The court observed that the defendant did not comply with a summons issued on March 5 requiring his attendance at the proceedings.
Despite a heartfelt request from VDM’s attorney, Mr. Deji Adeyanju, who attended the hearing, Magistrate Iyana refused to lift the arrest order.
Adeyanju sought permission to present his client at the next court date.
VDM is accused of making defamatory comments about Chinwo on his social media account, claiming she was involved in a contractual dispute regarding the alleged misappropriation of $345,000 from her former record label head, Ezekiel Onyedikachukwu (Eezee Tee).
Chinwo, asserting that the allegations are false and damaging to her reputation, presented documentary evidence, including emails and payment receipts, to prove her innocence in court.
Her legal team, led by Mr. Pelumi Olajengbesi, argued that VDM’s conduct violated Sections 391 of the Penal Code and Section 24 (1)(B) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act of 2015.
Additionally, it is worth noting that Chinwo’s lawyers have filed a N1.1 billion lawsuit against VDM in the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, requesting that he delete, retract, and issue a public apology for the alleged defamatory statements made against her and her brand.
