A Chief Magistrate Court in Wuse Zone 6, Abuja, has issued a bench warrant for the arrest of blogger Martins Otse, widely known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), in connection with a criminal defamation lawsuit filed by gospel singer Mercy Chinwo.
Presiding over the case on Thursday, Magistrate Emmanuel Iyana instructed the Nigeria Police Force and other law enforcement agencies to apprehend VDM and ensure his appearance in court.
The arrest order was issued after VDM failed to comply with a court summons dated March 5. Despite efforts by his lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, who requested permission to personally present his client at the next hearing, Magistrate Iyana refused to withdraw the warrant.
Chinwo alleges that VDM falsely accused her on social media of misappropriating $345,000 in a contractual dispute involving her former record label boss, Ezekiel Onyedikachukwu, also known as Eezee Tee.
Her legal team, led by Pelumi Olajengbesi, submitted evidence—including emails and payment receipts—to counter the allegations and defend her reputation.
According to the prosecution, VDM’s statements violate Section 391 of the Penal Code and Section 24(1)(B) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015.
In a separate legal action, Chinwo’s legal representatives have also filed a N1.1 billion lawsuit against VDM at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, demanding a public apology, a retraction of the statements, and their removal from all platforms.