The Chief Justice of the Peace Court docket sitting in Wuse Zone 6, Abuja, has issued a bench warrant for the arrest of social media critic Martins ‘VeryDarkMan (VDM)’ Otse over alleged defamation of gospel singer Mercy Chinwo.
PREMIUM TIMES reported that Ms Chinwo initiated authorized motion towards VDM, searching for N1.1 billion in damages over his alleged defamatory statements about her on social media.
The singer, by means of her authorized staff, Legislation Hall, filed the lawsuit on the Excessive Court docket of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), alleging that VDM made defamatory remarks that have been libellous, malicious, and damaging to her status and character.
Nevertheless, in its Thursday report, Channels Tv said that Justice of the Peace Emmanuel Iyanna issued the bench warrant.
Justice of the Peace Iyanna directed the Nigeria Police Pressure and different legislation enforcement companies to arrest VDM and produce him earlier than the courtroom to answer the allegations towards him.
The order adopted VDM’s failure to look in courtroom on 5 March regardless of being summoned.
In the meantime, VDM’s lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, urged the courtroom to rethink the bench warrant, assuring that he would produce his shopper.
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Nevertheless, Justice of the Peace Iyanna rejected the plea, insisting that legislation enforcement companies current VDM in courtroom.
VDM’s motion
The order of VDM’s arrest stemmed from allegations that Mercy Chinwo was entangled in a contractual dispute and misappropriating $345,000, allegedly linked to her former supervisor and file label boss, Ezekiel ‘Eezee Tee’ Onyedikachukwu.
In response, Ms Chinwo offered supporting paperwork, together with emails and cost receipts, noting that VDM’s claims have been baseless and severely broken her status.
Her authorized staff, led by Pelumi Olajengbesi, argued that VDM’s actions violated Part 391 of the Penal Code and Part 24(1)(B) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, and so on.) Act 2015.
The authorized dispute between gospel singer Ms Chinwo and her former EeZee Tee began following her departure from EeZee Conceptz, the place she had been underneath a 50/50 gross revenue-sharing settlement.
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She accused EeZee Tee of withholding $345,000 in royalties and fostering a poisonous work setting.
EeZee Tee denied the allegations, countering that Chinwo had didn’t remit funds from her performances. He additionally known as for an impartial audit of their monetary transactions.
On 6 March, the courtroom adjourned the case to 14 Could for a listening to.
In the meantime, Mr Adeyanju, whereas reacting to the bench warrant on his Fb web page, mentioned, “The Mercy Chinwo’s staff should not serious about going to courtroom or doing something. It’s all for cruise and media trials. Simply have a look at the headline.”
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