March 13, (THEWILL) – A Chief Magistrate Court sitting in Wuse Zone 6, Abuja, has issued a bench warrant for the arrest of social media commentator, Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, over alleged criminal defamation of gospel singer, Mercy Chinwo.
The order, issued by Chief Magistrate Emmanuel Iyanna on Thursday, March 13, 2025, directed the Nigeria Police Force and other law enforcement agencies to arrest and produce the blogger in court to face the allegations against him.
Iyanna’s decision followed VDM’s failure to appear before the court despite being summoned on March 5, 2025.
While his lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, pleaded for reconsideration and assured the court that he would personally ensure his client’s presence, the magistrate declined the request, maintaining that the defendant must be brought before the court by security agencies.
The case stems from allegations that VDM made defamatory statements on social media, accusing Chinwo of financial misconduct linked to a contractual dispute with her former record label boss, Ezekiel Onyedikachukwu, also known as Eezee Tee.
VDM had claimed that $345,000 was diverted under suspicious circumstances, implicating the gospel singer.
However, Chinwo has denied the allegations and presented documentary evidence, including emails and payment receipts, to counter the claims.
Her legal team, led by Pelumi Olajengbesi of Law Corridor, argued that VDM’s statements were damaging and injurious to her public image.
“The actions of the defendant are in clear violation of Section 391 of the Penal Code and Section 24(1)(B) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act 2015,” Olajengbesi stated.
Beyond the criminal proceedings, Chinwo has also filed a separate civil suit before a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, seeking N1.1 billion in damages.
She is demanding that VDM retract his statements, delete all related posts, and issue a public apology.
