An Abuja Chief Magistrate Court has issued an arrest warrant for social media activist Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), over allegations of criminal defamation.
The case was brought against VDM by gospel singer Mercy Chinwo, who accused him of making defamatory statements about her on social media.
Specifically, VDM alleged that Chinwo was involved in a financial dispute concerning $345,000 linked to her former record label boss, Ezekiel Onyedikachukwu, also known as Eezee Tee.
Chinwo, denying the accusations, provided the court with documentary evidence, including emails and payment receipts, to clear her name.
She argued that the claims had damaged her public image and reputation.
Magistrate Emmanuel Iyana ordered the Nigeria Police and other law enforcement agencies to arrest and present VDM in court, as he had failed to appear for a hearing on March 5 despite being summoned.
VDM’s lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, pleaded with the court to allow him to bring his client voluntarily on the next hearing date, but the magistrate refused to lift the arrest warrant.
In addition to the criminal defamation case, Chinwo has filed a separate ₦1.1 billion lawsuit against VDM at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory.
She is demanding that he retract his statements, delete the posts, and issue a public apology.
Chinwo’s legal team, led by Pelumi Olajengbesi, insists that VDM’s actions violate Sections 391 of the Penal Code and Section 24 (1)(B) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act 2015.
