Abuja Chief Magistrate Court has issued a bench warrant for the arrest of VeryDarkMan for failing to honour a summon it issued on March 5, which directed him to appear before the court.
The arrest order, TheNewsGuru learnt followed a criminal defamation case that was brought before the court by a renowned female gospel singer, Mercy Chinwo.
Magistrate Emmanuel Iyana in his ruling on Thursday directed the Nigeria Police Force and other law enforcement agencies to arrest and produce VDM in court to answer to the allegations leveled against him by Chinwo.
The court noted that the defendant failed to honor a summons issued on March 5, which required him to appear before the court.
Despite efforts by VDM’s counsel, Deji Adeyanju, to prevent his arrest, the court refused to vacate the order. Adeyanju had pleaded with the magistrate to allow him to personally produce his client at the next adjourned date, but his request was denied.
Defamation Allegations Against VDM
TNG reports that Chinwo’s lawsuit, filed at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, seeks N1.1 billion in damages from VDM.
The lawsuit stems from VDM’s accusations that Chinwo was involved in a contractual dispute and diverted $345,000 linked to her former record label boss, Ezekiel Onyedikachukwu (Eezee Tee). Chinwo’s legal representative, Pelumi Olajengbesi, argues that VDM’s posts were made without provocation and intended to damage Chinwo’s reputation.
Chinwo has provided documentary evidence, including emails and payment receipts, to prove that VDM’s allegations are false. The lawsuit demands that VDM delete, retract, and issue a public apology for the allegedly false and defamatory statements made against Chinwo and her brand