Court orders immediate arrest of VeryDarkMan for defamation

The arrest order came as a result of a criminal defamation case filed by renowned gospel singer Mercy Chinwo. In his ruling, Magistrate Emmanuel Iyana instructed the Nigeria Police Force and other law enforcement agencies to apprehend VDM and bring him before the court to address the criminal allegations made against him by the singer.

The court noted that the defendant failed to respond to a summons issued on March 5, which required him to appear for the proceedings. Despite a passionate plea from the defendant’s counsel, Mr. Deji Adeyanju, who was present in court, Magistrate Iyana refused to revoke the arrest order. Adeyanju requested the court to allow him to personally bring his client to the next adjourned date.

VDM is accused of making defamatory statements about Chinwo on his social media page, alleging that she was involved in a contractual dispute concerning her alleged diversion of $345,000 linked to her former record label boss, Ezekiel Onyedikachukwu, also known as Eezee Tee.

Chinwo, feeling aggrieved by these claims, which she described as false and damaging to her public image and reputation, presented documentary evidence in court, including emails and payment receipts, to support her assertion of innocence. Her legal team, led by Mr. Pelumi Olajengbesi, maintained that the defendant’s actions violated Sections 391 of the Penal Code and Section 24(1)(B) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act of 2015.