Court Orders Arrest of VeryDarkMan Following Mercy Chinwo’s Defamation Lawsuit

The Chief Magistrate Court of Wuse Zone 6, Abuja, has issued a bench warrant for the apprehension of social commentator and blogger, Martins Vincent Otse, widely recognized as VeryDarkMan (VDM). The court’s directive comes in response to allegations of criminal defamation levied against him by renowned gospel artist, Mercy Chinwo.
The presiding magistrate, Emmanuel Iyanna, has mandated the Nigeria Police Force, in collaboration with other law enforcement entities, to effectuate the blogger’s arrest and ensure his compulsory appearance before the court. This directive was pronounced on Thursday, March 13, 2025, following VDM’s failure to comply with a court summons dated March 5, 2025.
VDM’s legal representative, Deji Adeyanju, intervened, urging the court to reconsider the arrest order. He pledged to personally present his client before the court, but Magistrate Iyanna dismissed the appeal, maintaining that the law enforcement agencies must secure VDM’s presence in the courtroom.
Confirming the court’s decision, Adeyanju remarked,
“Indeed, a bench warrant has been issued for his absence in court. However, this entire proceeding seems orchestrated as a media spectacle rather than a genuine pursuit of justice.”
The lawsuit stems from defamatory assertions propagated by VDM on social media, wherein he implicated Chinwo in a contractual controversy and the alleged misappropriation of $345,000—funds purportedly linked to her former record label executive, Ezekiel Onyedikachukwu (popularly known as Eezee Tee).
To fortify her claims, Chinwo presented an array of documentary evidence before the court, encompassing emails and payment receipts, which she asserts unequivocally disprove VDM’s allegations and expose the damage inflicted upon her professional reputation.
The gospel singer’s legal team, spearheaded by Pelumi Olajengbesi of Law Corridor, contends that VDM’s statements constitute a direct violation of Section 391 of the Penal Code and Section 24 (1)(B) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act 2015.
This case is not the only legal confrontation between the two parties. Chinwo’s legal counsel has concurrently filed a separate suit before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, seeking N1.1 billion in damages against VDM. The lawsuit demands that the blogger delete, retract, and publicly apologize for all defamatory remarks made against Chinwo and her brand.
As the legal proceedings intensify, this case underscores the evolving landscape of digital accountability and the potential consequences of unverified claims disseminated on social media.