Streaming platforms Audiomack Limited and Audiomack Africa Limited have removed social media personality Martin Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan or VDM, from their catalog following a court order obtained by Prophet Jeremiah Fufeyin concerning his song ‘Papa J’.
The track, released in July, targeted the founder of Christ Mercyland Deliverance Ministry after VDM questioned the authenticity of his faith-based products, including a spiritual shirt, miracle water and mustard seed. The clash has since escalated into a N1 billion lawsuit.
Justice Yesuf Shafahe from the FCT High Court in Nyanya granted an interlocutory injunction restraining VDM from publishing or circulating allegedly defamatory material against the clergyman on digital platforms.
Confirming the removal in a statement on Monday night, Mr Fufeyin’s counsel Ihensekhien Samuel said Audiomack acted after “persistent legal representations” on behalf of his client.
He added: “The latest action comes in compliance with an order of the FCT High Court, Suit No: FCT/CV/3340/2024… prompted by new letters and correspondence sent to Audiomack notifying the platform of two restating court orders restraining Verydarkman from publishing or distributing any digital content deemed defamatory against Prophet Fufeyin and his wife.”
Mr Samuel recalled that in July the court dismissed all preliminary objections raised by VDM and granted “a complete interlocutory order of status quo ante bellum,” restraining him from sharing libellous material via Facebook, YouTube, or other platforms.
Audiomack has since pulled down the song and all related uploads. Attempts to play it now return the message: “This song cannot be found or has been removed.”
The substantive case has been adjourned to October 27.
