- A Chief Magistrate Court in Wuse, Abuja, issued a bench warrant for the arrest of VeryDarkMan over defamation allegations
- The court ruled that since he failed to honour a summons issued against him on March 5, he should be arrested and made to appear in court
- This development follows gospel singer Mercy Chinwo’s lawsuit, in which she seeks N1 billion in general damages, N100 million in punitive damages, and a public apology
A Chief Magistrate Court in Wuse has issued a bench warrant for the arrest of social media influencer VeryDarkMan, also known as Vincent Martins Otse, over alleged defamation of gospel singer Mercy Chinwo.
The court directed the Nigeria Police Force to arrest and present VeryDarkMan in court after he failed to honor a summons issued on March 5.
Despite efforts by his counsel, Deji Adeyanju, to personally ensure his appearance at the next adjourned date, the Magistrate dismissed the plea and proceeded with the arrest order.
This comes after Chinwo accused VeryDarkMan of making defamatory statements against her on social media in February, claiming she breached her contract with her former record label, EeZee Tee.
VeryDarkMan alleged that Chinwo diverted funds from shows without paying the label, and sought public sympathy, damaging her reputation.
Chinwo's lawyer, Pelumi Olajengbesi, described VeryDarkMan's comments as “malicious and damaging.” He described VeryDarkMan as presenting the matter in a way that tarnished Chinwo's image, posting viral videos that ridiculed her and favoured EeZee Tee's side.
Chinwo is seeking N1 billion in general damages, N100 million in punitive damages, and N25 million to cover legal expenses, remove defamatory posts and issue an apology across social media platforms and national newspapers in four national dailies for at least 14 consecutive days.
Reactions as court orders VeryDarkMan’s arrest
Here are some reactions below,
@miss__socrates commented: “He was asked to apologize within a stipulated period of time, he tendered a caricature of an apology and made a joke of the situation, now you have my attention, I wanna see how this plays out.”
@_p.r.i.m.e commented: “UNA FOR LIKE PITY THIS Boy.”
@dolapo_osunsina commented: “You see your life. Our Mummy of Lagos told you to chill.”
@bigjuwonn commented: “They took me too court to cut me open but Chineke is there to stand for me.”
@_far_from_home_101 commented: “Nothing new abeg... ratel for life.”
@itzamilli commented: “Him Dey post good things and fight police, una not dey post that one, na so so bad news una Dey post for engagement, dem need regulate social media and most youth self nor even get brain so no need.”
@minowight1 commented: “Make una go sleep, no be now we dey see this kind news before. Nothing can break VDM even God done stand with am full time.”
@s_mighty_cleancut commented: “Is he aware of this?”
@talentedjassey commented: “Una no Dey see the good always reposting the bad about him, you and gossipmill, him don drop one better video try repost am too!”
@horlafrosh commented: “He just posted some minutes ago now about empowering the youths. But Una no see that one carry repost. God dey Sha.”
@sharon_jasmyne commented: “Him Dey China Dey enjoy.”
@durelkizzy commented: “If you're doing something good in this country then your government enemy... #ENDBADGOVERNMENT#.”
@bigjuwonn commented: “You come for VDM you are the victim, VDM come for you na you still be victim... Don't play or you gonna learn the hard way.”
@aprilhairandmore commented: “Keep him there.”
@iam_saviocomedy commented: “Leave it for God na. Let's stop the violence and fight #let love lead.”
VeryDarkMan arrested again? Police deny, Iyabo Ojo, Ka3na, others react
Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that controversial social media critic and activist, Martins Vincent Otse, popularly called VeryDarkMan was allegedly arrested at his residence in Abuja on Sunday, June 30, which would make it his third time in 2024..
VeryDarkMan was allegedly arrested by the police for cybercrime and defamation. However, the FCT Police denied the arrest of VDM and claimed he was only invited for questioning.