An Abuja Chief Magistrate Court sitting in Wuse Zone 6 has issued a bench warrant for the arrest of social media activist Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), over alleged criminal defamation against renowned gospel singer Mercy Chinwo.
Presiding over the case on Thursday, Magistrate Emmanuel Iyana directed the Nigeria Police Force and other law enforcement agencies to apprehend and produce the defendant in court after he failed to appear for a hearing despite a summons issued on March 5.
Court Rejects Plea for Delay
The ruling came after the defendant’s counsel, Deji Adeyanju, pleaded with the court to vacate the arrest order, assuring that he would personally ensure his client’s appearance at the next adjourned date. However, the court declined the request, saying it is important to comply with legal procedures.
The case stems from allegations that VeryDarkMan made defamatory statements against Chinwo on social media, accusing her of misappropriating $345,000 in a contractual dispute involving her former record label boss, Ezekiel Onyedikachukwu, also known as Eezee Tee.
In response, Chinwo, through her legal team led by Pelumi Olajengbesi, presented documentary evidence, including emails and payment receipts, to counter the allegations, asserting that the claims were false, malicious, and damaging to her reputation.
Legal Charges and Civil Suit
The prosecution contends that VeryDarkMan’s statements violate Sections 391 of the Penal Code and Section 24 (1)(B) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act 2015, which criminalize online falsehoods and defamation.
Beyond the criminal charges, Chinwo has also filed a N1.1 billion defamation suit against VeryDarkMan at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. Her legal team is demanding that the defendant delete all defamatory posts, issue a public retraction, and publish an official apology.
Awaiting Next Legal Steps
With the arrest warrant now in effect, law enforcement agencies are expected to act swiftly in securing the defendant’s presence in court.
Meanwhile, legal analysts suggest that the case could set a precedent for social media accountability in Nigeria as public figures increasingly seek legal redress against online defamation.
As the legal battle unfolds, stakeholders in both the entertainment and legal communities are closely monitoring the outcome, which could have far-reaching implications for defamation laws and digital speech regulation in Nigeria.
