VeryDarkMan To Be Arrested In Mercy Chinwo Defamation Case
The Chief Magistrate Court in Wuse Zone 6, Abuja, has issued a bench warrant for the arrest of controversial social media activist known as VeryDarkMan (VDM) real name Martins Otse. The arrest order, which was issued on Thursday, follows a criminal defamation case filed against him by renowned gospel singer Mercy Chinwo.
Magistrate Emmanuel Iyana directed the Nigeria Police Force and other law enforcement agencies to arrest VDM and present him before the court to respond to the criminal allegations levelled against him. The court’s action came after the activist failed to appear for proceedings despite being summoned on March 5.
During the session, VDM’s lawyer, Mr Deji Adeyanju, pleaded with the court to allow him to personally present his client at the next hearing. However, Magistrate Iyana refused to vacate the arrest order.
The defamation allegations stem from statements made by VDM on social media, in which he claimed that Mercy Chinwo was involved in a contractual dispute concerning the alleged diversion of $345,000 from her former record label boss, Ezekiel Onyedikachukwu, also known as Eezee Tee.
RELATED: Mercy Chinwo Files N1.1B Lawsuit Against VeryDarkMan
Outraged by the allegations, which she described as false and damaging to her public image, Chinwo presented documentary evidence to the court, including emails and payment receipts, to refute the claims. Her legal team, led by Mr Pelumi Olajengbesi, argued that VDM’s actions violated Section 391 of the Penal Code and Section 24(1)(B) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act 2015.
Beyond the criminal case, Chinwo’s legal team has also filed a N1.1 billion defamation suit against VDM at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The lawsuit seeks to compel the activist to retract his statements, delete the defamatory posts, and issue a public apology to the singer and her brand.
SOURCE: https://www.vanguardngr.com/
Content Credit| Oyedepo Oluwafifedoyinsola
Image Credit| phm.live
