Defamation: Court Orders Arrest of VeryDarkMan 

A bench warrant for the arrest of social media activist Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), was issued on Thursday by an Abuja Chief Magistrate Court sitting in Wuse Zone 6.

The arrest order was issued in connection with a criminal defamation case filed in court by popular gospel singer Mercy Chinwo.

The Nigeria Police Force and other law enforcement agencies were directed by Magistrate Emmanuel Iyana to arrest VDM and present him before the court to respond to 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, requiring his appearance for the proceedings.

Despite an earnest plea from the defendant’s counsel, Mr. Deji Adeyanju, who was present in court, Magistrate Iyana refused to revoke the arrest order.

Adeyanju had begged the court to allow him to personally produce his client on the next adjourned date.

Specifically, VDM was alleged to have made defamatory statements against the singer through his social media page.

It allegedly claimed that Chinwo was involved in a contractual dispute over her purported diversion of the sum of $345,000 linked to her former record label boss, Ezekiel Onyedikachukwu, also known as Eezee Tee.

Distressed by the allegation, which she described as both 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.