A Chief Magistrate Court in Wuse Zone 6, Abuja, has issued a bench warrant for the arrest of Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), over allegations of criminal defamation against gospel singer Mercy Chinwo. Magistrate Emmanuel Iyanna issued the warrant on March 13, 2025, after VDM failed to appear in court following a summons issued earlier on March 5, 2025.
The court directed the Nigeria Police Force and other law enforcement agencies to arrest and produce VDM in court to face the allegations. Mercy Chinwo’s legal team accused VDM of making defamatory statements on social media, claiming she diverted $345,000 linked to her former record label boss, Ezekiel Onyedikachukwu, also known as Eezee Tee. Chinwo’s lawyers presented evidence, including emails and payment receipts, to refute the claims and prove the statements were false and damaging to her reputation.
VDM’s lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, appealed to the court to reconsider the bench warrant, promising to personally produce his client. However, Magistrate Iyanna rejected the appeal and insisted on VDM’s arrest. Chinwo’s legal team also filed a separate case at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, seeking ₦1.1 billion in damages and demanding a public apology and retraction of all defamatory statements.
VDM, who is reportedly abroad, reacted to the arrest warrant on social media, daring authorities to apprehend him upon his return to Nigeria. He dismissed the allegations and described the situation as an attempt to silence him.
This legal battle has sparked widespread discussions about defamation, accountability, and the role of social media in shaping public narratives. As the case unfolds, all eyes remain on the court proceedings and their potential implications for both parties involved.