The digital battleground has taken a legal turn as an Abuja Chief Magistrate Court has issued a bench warrant for the arrest of controversial social media activist Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM).
The arrest order comes after VDM failed to appear in court over criminal defamation charges filed by renowned gospel singer Mercy Chinwo.
Legal Showdown Unfolds
Presiding over the case, Magistrate Emmanuel Iyanna issued the warrant on Thursday, March 13, 2025, following VDM’s non-compliance with a court summons dated March 5, 2025. The summons required him to appear in person to address allegations that he made defamatory statements against Chinwo via social media.
The Allegations and Legal Implications
Chinwo’s legal team, led by Pelumi Olajengbesi of Law Corridor, cited violations of:
✅ Section 24 (1)(B) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act 2015
✅ Section 391 of the Penal Code
At the heart of the controversy is VDM’s claim that Chinwo was involved in the misappropriation of $345,000, allegedly linked to her former record label boss, Ezekiel Onyedikachukwu, also known as Eezee Tee. Chinwo, however, has vehemently denied the allegations, backing her stance with emails, receipts, and supporting documents to disprove the claims.
Chinwo Seeks ₦1.1 Billion in Damages
Beyond the criminal case, Chinwo has also filed a ₦1.1 billion defamation lawsuit against VDM at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The suit demands that VDM:
✔ Delete all defamatory posts
✔ Issue a public apology
✔ Retract his statements
VDM’s Defense and Court’s Ruling
VDM’s lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, confirmed the court’s bench warrant but raised concerns about the fairness of the proceedings. He argued that there seemed to be a preference for media trials over genuine legal action. Adeyanju had requested permission to appear on behalf of his client, but the court insisted that VDM must show up in person.
What’s Next?
The court has now instructed law enforcement to arrest VDM and bring him before the court to face the charges. As the saga unfolds, all eyes remain on the legal proceedings that could set a precedent for social media accountability in Nigeria.
