The Chief Magistrate Court in Wuse Zone 6, Abuja, has issued a bench warrant for the arrest of blogger Martins Vincent Otse, also known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), over charges of “criminal defamation” against gospel singer Mercy Chinwo. Magistrate Emmanuel Iyanna ordered the Nigeria Police Force and other law enforcement agencies to apprehend VeryDarkMan and present him in court to answer the allegations.
The bench warrant was issued on Thursday, March 13, 2025, after VeryDarkMan failed to appear in court following a summons on March 5, 2025.
Despite an appeal from his lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, requesting the magistrate reconsider the warrant, Magistrate Iyanna rejected the plea and insisted that VeryDarkMan be brought to court by security forces.
