Magistrate Court Issues Arrest Warrant For VeryDarkMan Over Defamation Case

Magistrate court issues arrest warrant for VeryDarkMan over defamation case. An Abuja Chief Magistrate Court sitting in Wuse Zone 6 has issued a bench warrant for the arrest of social media activist Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM).

The arrest order, issued on Thursday, follows a criminal defamation case filed by renowned gospel singer Mercy Chinwo.

In his ruling, Magistrate Emmanuel Iyana directed the Nigeria Police Force and other law enforcement agencies to apprehend and present VDM before the court to face the allegations leveled against him.

The court noted that VDM failed to honor a summons issued on March 5, instructing him to appear for the hearing.

Despite pleas from his lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, who requested permission to personally produce his client at the next hearing, the magistrate refused to revoke the arrest warrant.

VDM is accused of making defamatory claims against Chinwo on his social media platform, alleging her involvement in a contractual dispute over the alleged diversion of $345,000 linked to her former record label boss, Ezekiel Onyedikachukwu (Eezee Tee).

Chinwo, refuting the allegations, presented documentary evidence to the court, including emails and payment receipts, to establish her innocence.

VeryDarkMan

Her legal team, led by Pelumi Olajengbesi, argued that VDM’s actions violate Section 391 of the Penal Code and Section 24(1)(B) of the Cybercrime Act (2015).

In addition to the criminal case, Chinwo’s lawyers have also filed a N1.1 billion lawsuit against VDM at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

They are seeking a retraction, deletion, and public apology for the alleged defamatory statements.

Fuel Station Supervisor Arraigned Over Alleged N1.25m Theft

Fuel station supervisor arraigned over alleged N1.25m theft. A 22-year-old petrol station supervisor, Prosper Ese, was arraigned on Wednesday before a Badagry Chief Magistrates’ Court for allegedly embezzling N1,256,400 from his employer.

Ese, whose residential address was not disclosed, is facing two charges of theft and fraud but pleaded not guilty to both.

According to ASP Edet Ekpo, the prosecutor, the incident took place on March 2 at Arigbabuwo Petrol Filling Station, Oko-Afo, Badagry. Ese allegedly misappropriated N1,056,400 from sales proceeds and also fraudulently obtained N200,000 from one Aisat Folorunsho under false pretenses.

He was reportedly apprehended while attempting to escape from the station.

Court

The prosecution noted that the alleged crimes violate Sections 287 and 311 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015.

Presiding over the case, Chief Magistrate N.A. Layeni granted Ese bail of N1 million with two sureties in like sum and adjourned the hearing to April 16.

Police Arrests Couple For Gun Running In Delta

Police arrests couple for gun running in Delta. Operatives of the CP-Special Assignment Team (CP-SAT) of the Delta State Police Command have arrested a couple, Joshua Bogbon Godwell and his wife, Uche Joshua, in Okpe Local Government Area over alleged involvement in gun running.

Acting on credible intelligence, officers raided their residence on March 9, 2025, at about 2:30 pm, recovering a locally fabricated Beretta pistol with a live round intended for delivery to a client in Sapele.

Confirming the arrest on Thursday, the State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, stated, “Following a coordinated sting operation, our officers apprehended the couple in Okpe LGA and seized a locally made Beretta pistol in their possession. The wife, Uche Joshua, admitted to delivering illegal firearms on behalf of her husband.”

Uche further confessed to having transported several arms to various clients in Warri and Sapele as instructed by her husband.

Syndicate Member Arrested
Further investigations led to the arrest of Junior Moses Ogedegbe, 30, from Useifurun community, Ughelli South LGA, suspected to be a member of the syndicate.

“Our operatives are intensifying efforts to recover more weapons and apprehend other members of the gang,” Edafe added.

Other Police Operations in Delta
In a separate operation, CP-SAT operatives arrested suspected cultists and armed robbers across the state, recovering:
Two pump-action guns
One Beretta pistol
One cut-to-size gun
24 live cartridges

On February 3, 2025, at about 1:45 pm, intelligence-led operations resulted in the arrest of a wanted cultist and gunrunner, Stephen Oma Odu, 25, from Obagho community, Warri North LGA, in Sapele town.

His confession led to the arrest of Abel Festus, aka Tompolo, 42, from Oghareki community, Ethiope West LGA. A search of Festus’ apartment uncovered two pump-action guns and 24 live cartridges.

During the operation, two other suspected cultists, Godspower Moses (alias Power) and Oloriode Owebe, 24, were also arrested.

Police investigations identified the suspects as members of the Vikings Confraternity, with further probes ongoing.

Guns

Suspected Kidnapper and Internet Fraudster Nabbed
In another operation, police arrested a suspected kidnapper and internet fraudster in Mosogar and its environs, recovering a cut-to-size gun.

On March 9, 2025, at about 6:30 am, a police raid in Jesse and Mosogar towns led to the arrest of Festus Oboyo, 26, from Igbopa community, Ethiope West LGA. A search of his residence uncovered a locally made gun with a single cartridge and an FBI impersonation document allegedly used for online fraud.

Further investigations resulted in the arrest of two suspected accomplices:
Favor Omowo (alias Voltage), 29, from Jesse town Gift Omowo, 26, from Jesse community

“We are actively tracking down other fleeing gang members and will not rest until all criminals are brought to justice,” Edafe assured.