Court Orders Arrest Of VeryDarkMan Over Mercy Chinwo’s Suit
THECONSCIENCE NG reports that 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), for “criminal defamation” of gospel singer Mercy Chinwo.
Magistrate Emmanuel Iyanna instructed the Nigeria Police Force and other law enforcement agencies to arrest VeryDarkMan and bring him to court to face the allegations against him.
The bench warrant was issued on Thursday, March 13, 2025, after VeryDarkMan failed to appear in court on March 5, 2025, following a summons to do so.
Although VDM’s lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, requested that the magistrate reconsider the bench warrant, assuring that he would personally bring his client to court, Magistrate Iyanna rejected the appeal and insisted that security agencies must produce VDM in court.
In a TV interview, Adeyanju confirmed that a bench warrant had indeed been issued against his client for his failure to appear in court. He added, “They are more focused on media trial than on prosecuting the matter.”
The bench warrant stems from alleged defamatory statements made by VDM on social media, accusing Chinwo of involvement in a contractual dispute and the misappropriation of $345,000 linked to her former record label boss, Ezekiel Onyedikachukwu (Eezee Tee).
Chinwo has provided documentary evidence, including emails and payment receipts, to prove that VDM’s allegations are not only false but also harmful to her reputation.
Chinwo’s legal team, led by Pelumi Olajengbesi of the Abuja-based Law Corridor firm, argues that VDM’s actions violate Sections 391 of the Penal Code and Section 24(1)(B) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act 2015.
Additionally, Chinwo’s counsel has filed a suit in the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, seeking N1.1 billion in damages from VDM. The lawsuit also demands an order for VDM to delete, retract, and publicly apologize for the false and defamatory statements made against Chinwo and her brand.
