In a significant development in the ongoing battle against reckless speech, a court has taken the extraordinary step of issuing an arrest warrant for VeryDarkMan, individual accused of spreading malicious and damaging falsehoods against gospel musician Mercy Chinwo. This bold move sends a clear message that defamation will not be tolerated, and that those who engage in such destructive behavior will be held accountable for their actions. As the legal community watches with keen interest, this case is poised to set a crucial precedent in the fight to protect reputations and maintain the integrity of public discourse.

On Thursday, an Abuja Chief Magistrate Court in Wuse Zone 6 issued a bench warrant for the arrest of controversial social media activist Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM).

The arrest order was issued in connection with a criminal defamation case filed against him by renowned gospel singer Mercy Chinwo.

In his ruling, 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 brought against him by the gospel singer.

The court stated that the defendant failed to comply with 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 vacate the arrest order.

Adeyanju had urged the court to allow him to personally present his client on the next adjourned date.

The case stemmed from allegations that VDM made defamatory statements about the singer on his social media page.

The allegation claimed that Chinwo was involved in a contractual dispute over the alleged diversion of $345,000 linked to her former record label boss, Ezekiel Onyedikachukwu, popularly known as Eezee Tee.

Upset by what she described as a false and damaging claim against her public image and reputation, the gospel singer presented documentary evidence in court, including emails and payment receipts, to prove her innocence.