The Chief Magistrate Court, Wuse Zone 6, Abuja, has issued a bench warrant for the arrest of popular social media personality and blogger, Martins Vincent Otse, widely known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), over allegations of criminal defamation against renowned gospel artist, Mercy Chinwo.
Chief Magistrate Emmanuel Iyanna ordered the Nigeria Police Force and other law enforcement agencies to arrest and produce VDM in court after he failed to appear following a summons issued on March 5, 2025. Despite an appeal from his lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, to reconsider the order, the magistrate insisted that the blogger must be brought before the court to answer the allegations against him.
The defamation charges stem from statements made by VDM on social media, where he accused Chinwo of being involved in a contractual dispute and the alleged diversion of $345,000 linked to her former record label boss, Ezekiel Onyedikachukwu, also known as Eezee Tee. In response, Chinwo provided the court with documentary evidence, including emails and payment receipts, refuting the claims as false and damaging to her reputation.
The gospel singer’s legal team, led by Pelumi Olajengbesi of Law Corridor, argued that VDM’s actions violated Section 391 of the Penal Code and Section 24 (1)(B) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act 2015. Additionally, Chinwo has filed a separate civil lawsuit at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, seeking N1.1 billion in damages.
As part of her legal demands, Chinwo is requesting a court order compelling VDM to retract his statements, delete all defamatory posts, and issue a public apology.
With the bench warrant now in effect, law enforcement agencies are expected to act swiftly in bringing the blogger to court for prosecution.
