The Chief Magistrate Court, Wuse Zone 6, Abuja, has ordered the arrest of blogger Martins Vincent Otse, known as VeryDarkMan (VDM).
Magistrate Emmanuel Iyanna issued the bench warrant on March 13, 2025, after VDM failed to appear in court.
The court directed the Nigeria Police and other security agencies to arrest and bring VDM to face defamation charges.
Music artist Mercy Chinwo accused VDM of falsely claiming her involvement in a contractual dispute and misappropriating $345,000.
Chinwo provided emails and payment receipts to support her claim that VDM’s allegations harmed her reputation.
VDM’s lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, urged the court to withdraw the warrant and promised to present his client.
Magistrate Iyanna rejected the request and insisted that security operatives must bring VDM to court.
Speaking to Channels Television, Adeyanju confirmed the court’s decision and criticized the handling of the case.
“Yes, a bench warrant has been issued because he failed to appear in court,” Adeyanju said.
“They are only interested in media trial, not actual prosecution,” he added.
The complaint, filed by lawyer Pelumi Olajengbesi of Law Corridor, cites violations of the Penal Code and Cybercrime Act.
Chinwo also filed a separate lawsuit at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, seeking ₦1.1 billion in damages.
She asked the court to compel VDM to delete, retract, and publicly apologize for his alleged defamatory statements.
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