An Abuja Chief Magistrate Court sitting at Wuse Zone 6 has issued a bench warrant for the arrest of Martins Otse, the controversial social media activist widely known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), in connection with a criminal defamation case brought before the court by renowned female gospel singer, Mercy Chinwo.
Magistrate Emmanuel Iyana, in his ruling on Thursday, directed the Nigeria Police Force and other law enforcement agencies to apprehend VeryDarkMan and produce him before the court to answer to the criminal allegations leveled against him by the gospel singer. The arrest order was prompted by VeryDarkMan’s failure to appear in court after a summon was issued on March 5th, directing him to attend the proceedings. Despite a passionate plea from VeryDarkMan’s counsel, Mr. Deji Adeyanju, who was present in court, Magistrate Iyana declined to vacate the arrest order. Adeyanju had requested the court to allow him to personally ensure his client’s presence at the next adjourned date.
The legal action against VeryDarkMan stems from allegations that he made defamatory statements against Mercy Chinwo through his social media page. Specifically, it is alleged that VeryDarkMan claimed Chinwo was involved in a contractual dispute concerning the purported diversion of the sum of $345,000, allegations linked to her former record label boss, Ezekiel Onyedikachukwu, also known as Eezee Tee.
Mercy Chinwo, aggrieved by these allegations, which she has described as not only false but also injurious to her public image and reputation, has presented documentary evidence to the court, including emails and payment receipts, in an effort to establish her innocence. The complainant’s legal team, led by Mr. Pelumi Olajengbesi, has argued that VeryDarkMan’s actions are in violation of Sections 391 of the Penal Code and Section 24 (1)(B) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention etc) Act 2015.
It is also important to note that Chinwo’s counsel had previously instituted a separate N1.1 billion suit against VeryDarkMan before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. In that suit, the lawyer is seeking a court order to compel VeryDarkMan to delete, retract, and issue a public apology for all the alleged false and defamatory statements he made against Chinwo and her brand.
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