A Chief Magistrate Court in Wuse Zone 6, Abuja, has ordered the arrest of blogger Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), over a defamation case involving gospel singer Mercy Chinwo.
Presiding over the matter on Thursday, Magistrate Emmanuel Iyana directed the Nigeria Police Force and other law enforcement agencies to apprehend VDM and ensure he appears before the court.
The warrant was issued after VDM failed to honor a court summons dated March 5.
Despite an appeal from his lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, to personally present his client at the next hearing, the magistrate declined to revoke the arrest order.
Chinwo has accused VDM of falsely alleging on social media that she misappropriated $345,000 in a contractual dispute with her former record label boss, Ezekiel Onyedikachukwu, also known as Eezee Tee.
Her legal team, led by Pelumi Olajengbesi, has presented emails and payment receipts to refute the claims and protect her reputation.
According to the prosecution, VDM’s statements breach Section 391 of the Penal Code and Section 24(1)(B) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015.
Additionally, Chinwo’s lawyers have filed a separate lawsuit at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, seeking N1.1 billion in damages.
The suit demands a public apology, a retraction of the statements, and their removal from all online platforms.
(Prompt news)