An Abuja Chief Magistrate Court in Wuse Zone 6 has issued a bench warrant for the arrest of controversial social media activist Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), over a criminal defamation case filed by gospel singer Mercy Chinwo.

Magistrate Emmanuel Iyana, in his ruling on Thursday, directed the Nigeria Police Force and other law enforcement agencies to arrest VDM and present him before the court.

The order was issued after the activist failed to honor a court summons dated March 5.

Despite efforts by his counsel, Deji Adeyanju, to plead for more time to personally produce his client, the magistrate refused to vacate the arrest warrant.

VDM is accused of making defamatory claims against Chinwo on social media, alleging that she was involved in a contractual dispute and had diverted $345,000 from her former record label boss, Ezekiel Onyedikachukwu (Eezee Tee).

The singer, who refuted the claims as false and damaging to her reputation, provided documentary evidence, including emails and payment receipts, to establish her innocence.

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. Additionally, Chinwo has filed a N1.1 billion lawsuit at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, seeking a retraction, public apology, and deletion of all defamatory statements made against her.

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