A Chief Magistrate Court in Wuse Zone 6, Abuja, Nigeria has issued a bench warrant for the arrest of social media critic and blogger, Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), over allegations of criminal defamation against gospel singer Mercy Chinwo.
The court order mandates the Nigeria Police Force and other law enforcement agencies to apprehend VDM and present him in court to face the charges. Magistrate Emmanuel Iyanna issued the warrant after the blogger failed to appear in court on March 5, 2025, despite being summoned.
VDM’s lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, pleaded with the court to reconsider the arrest order, assuring that he would personally produce his client. However, Magistrate Iyanna rejected the appeal, insisting that security agencies execute the warrant.
The defamation case stems from allegations made by VDM on social media, accusing Chinwo of financial misconduct involving $345,000 linked to her former record label boss, Ezekiel Onyedikachukwu, also known as EeZee Tee. In response, Chinwo submitted documentary evidence, including emails and payment receipts, to counter the claims and demonstrate that the allegations were false and damaging to her reputation.
Chinwo’s legal team, led by Pelumi Olajengbesi of the Law Corridor firm, argued that VDM’s actions violate Section 391 of the Penal Code and Section 24 (1)(B) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act 2015.
In addition to the criminal case, Chinwo has filed a civil suit against VDM at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, demanding ₦1.1 billion in damages. She also seeks a court order compelling him to retract his statements, delete all defamatory posts, and issue a public apology.
Reacting to the bench warrant, Adeyanju criticized the legal proceedings, alleging that Chinwo’s legal team is more interested in a “media trial” than pursuing justice.
