By Patrick Idowu
An Abuja Chief Magistrate Court sitting in Wuse Zone 6 has issued a bench warrant for the immediate arrest of controversial social media activist, Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM).
The order, issued on Thursday by Magistrate Emmanuel Iyana, follows a criminal defamation case filed by renowned gospel singer Mercy Chinwo.
The court directed the Nigeria Police Force and other law enforcement agencies to arrest and produce VDM in court to face the allegations leveled against him.
VDM had been summoned to appear before the court on March 5 but failed to comply.
His counsel, Deji Adeyanju, pleaded for more time, offering to personally present his client at the next hearing, but the magistrate refused to vacate the arrest warrant.
The case stems from alleged defamatory statements made by VDM on social media, accusing Chinwo of misappropriating $345,000 linked to her former record label boss, Ezekiel Onyedikachukwu (Eezee Tee).
Chinwo, insisting the claims are false and damaging, presented emails and payment receipts to refute the allegations.
Her legal team, led by Pelumi Olajengbesi, argued that VDM’s actions violated Section 391 of the Penal Code and Section 24(1)(B) of the Cybercrime Act 2015.
They have also filed a separate ₦1.1 billion lawsuit at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, demanding a retraction, deletion of the alleged defamatory statements, and a public apology.
With the court’s firm stance, all eyes are now on law enforcement to act swiftly in apprehending the social media activist.
