A Magistrate Court in Wuse Zone 6, Abuja, has ordered the arrest of social media activist Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM).
The arrest order was issued on Thursday, March 14, following a criminal defamation case filed against him by gospel singer Mercy Chinwo.
Presiding over the case, Magistrate Emmanuel Iyana directed the Nigeria Police and other law enforcement agencies to take VDM into custody and present him in court. The decision was made after he failed to appear for a scheduled hearing on March 5, despite being formally summoned.
VDM’s lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, pleaded for time to bring his client to the next hearing voluntarily. However, the magistrate refused to withdraw the arrest order.
The controversy stems from allegations that VDM made defamatory statements about Mercy Chinwo on social media. He allegedly accused her of mismanaging $345,000 in a contractual dispute with her former record label boss, Ezekiel Onyedikachukwu, also known as Eezee Tee.
Chinwo, refuting the allegations, presented documentary evidence—including emails and payment receipts—to prove her innocence. She described the claims as false and damaging to her reputation.
Her legal team, led by Pelumi Olajengbesi, argued that VDM’s statements violated:
- Section 391 of the Penal Code
- Section 24(1)(B) of the Cybercrime Act 2015
Additionally, Chinwo has filed a separate N1.1 billion lawsuit at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The suit demands that:
- VDM removes all alleged defamatory posts
- He issues a public apology
- He officially retracts his statements
