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), on charges of “criminal defamation” related to the reputation of gospel singer Mercy Chinwo.
Magistrate Emmanuel Iyanna issued the arrest order on Thursday, March 13, 2025, after VDM failed to appear in court following a summons issued on March 5, 2025. The court directed the Nigeria Police Force and other law enforcement agencies to apprehend VeryDarkMan and bring him before the court to address the allegations.
Despite an appeal from VDM’s lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, who offered to personally ensure his client’s appearance in court, Magistrate Iyanna rejected the request, maintaining that the arrest should be carried out by security agencies.
In a statement, Adeyanju confirmed the issuance of the bench warrant, asserting, “Yes, a bench warrant has been issued against him for failure to show up in court. They are just interested in media trial over the matter, not the actual prosecution.”
The case stems from defamatory statements allegedly made by VDM on social media, accusing Chinwo of being involved 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 refute the claims, stating that VDM’s allegations are false and damaging to her reputation.
Chinwo’s legal team, led by Pelumi Olajengbesi of the Abuja-based Law Corridor firm, argued that VDM’s actions violate Sections 391 of the Penal Code and Section 24(1)(B) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act of 2015.
In a separate legal action, Chinwo has filed a lawsuit in the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, seeking N1.1 billion in damages from the blogger. She is also demanding that VDM delete the defamatory content, retract his statements, and issue a public apology.
