An Abuja Chief Magistrate Court in Wuse Zone 6 has issued a bench warrant for the arrest of social media activist Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, following a criminal defamation suit filed against him by gospel singer Mercy Chinwo.
According to Vanguard, the presiding over the case on Thursday, Magistrate Emmanuel Iyana directed the Nigeria Police Force and other law enforcement agencies to apprehend and produce the activist in court.
The court’s decision came after VDM failed to honor a summons issued on March 5, which required him to appear for the hearing.
Despite appeals from his lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, who was present in court, the magistrate refused to vacate the arrest order.
Adeyanju pleaded for an opportunity to personally present his client at the next hearing, but the court insisted on immediate enforcement of the warrant.
VDM is accused of making defamatory claims against Chinwo on social media, alleging that she was involved in a contractual dispute related to the diversion of $345,000 linked to her former record label boss, Ezekiel Onyedikachukwu, also known as Eezee Tee.
Chinwo, through her legal team led by Pelumi Olajengbesi, denied the allegations, presenting documentary evidence, including emails and payment receipts, to counter the claims.
“The statements made by the defendant are not only false but have also caused significant harm to my client’s reputation,” Olajengbesi stated.
The legal team 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.
In addition to the criminal case, Chinwo has also filed a N1.1 billion lawsuit against VDM before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, seeking a court order for him to delete the alleged defamatory statements, issue a public apology, and retract his claims.
