An Abuja Chief Magistrate Court in Wuse Zone 6 has issued a bench warrant for the arrest of controversial social media activist Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM). The order came on Thursday after he failed to appear in court for a criminal defamation case filed against him by popular gospel singer Mercy Chinwo.
Magistrate Emmanuel Iyana directed the Nigeria Police Force and other law enforcement agencies to apprehend VDM and bring him before the court to face the allegations against him. The court noted that the activist disregarded a summons issued on March 5, which required him to attend the proceedings.
During the hearing, VDM’s lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, pleaded with the court to allow him to personally ensure his client’s appearance on the next scheduled date. However, Magistrate Iyana refused to withdraw the arrest order.
The case stems from allegations that VDM made defamatory statements about Chinwo on his social media platform. The statements reportedly accused the gospel singer of being involved in a contractual dispute over $345,000, which was allegedly linked to her former record label boss, Ezekiel Onyedikachukwu, also known as Eezee Tee.
Chinwo strongly denied the claims, calling them false and damaging to her reputation. To support her case, she presented documentary evidence, including emails and payment receipts, to prove her innocence.
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 of 2015.
Additionally, Chinwo’s lawyers have filed a separate N1.1 billion lawsuit against VDM at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. They are seeking a court order to force the activist to delete the alleged defamatory statements, issue a retraction, and publicly apologize for his claims.
