An arrest warrant has been issued by the Abuja Chief Magistrate Court in Wuse Zone 6 for social media activist Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), following a criminal defamation case filed by gospel singer Mercy Chinwo. Magistrate Emmanuel Iyana directed law enforcement agencies to arrest and present VDM in court to answer the allegations made by Chinwo, who accused him of defamation.
VDM reportedly failed to attend a court hearing on March 5, prompting the magistrate to issue the arrest order. Despite efforts by VDM’s lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, to prevent the arrest, the court upheld its decision. Chinwo claims that VDM made false statements about her involvement in a contractual dispute and the diversion of $345,000 linked to her former record label boss, Ezekiel Onyedikachukwu. Chinwo has presented documentary evidence, including emails and receipts, to prove the allegations are false and damaging to her reputation.