Court Issues Bench Warrant for Blogger VeryDarkMan Over Alleged Defamation of Gospel Singer Mercy Chinwo
The Chief Magistrate Court, Wuse Zone 6, Abuja, has issued a bench warrant for the arrest of blogger Martins Vincent Otse, known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), over accusations of “criminal defamation” against gospel singer Mercy Chinwo.
The bench warrant, issued on Thursday, March 13, 2025, follows VeryDarkMan’s failure to appear in court after being summoned on March 5, 2025. Magistrate Emmanuel Iyanna, who presided over the case, ordered the Nigeria Police Force and other law enforcement agencies to apprehend the blogger and bring him to court to face the charges.
Despite an appeal from VeryDarkMan’s lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, who promised to personally ensure his client’s appearance, Magistrate Iyanna rejected the request and upheld the bench warrant.
The defamation case stems from alleged defamatory statements made by VeryDarkMan on social media, where he accused Chinwo of being involved in a contractual dispute and of misappropriating $345,000 linked to her former record label boss, Ezekiel Onyedikachukwu (Eezee Tee).
In response, Chinwo presented evidence, including emails and payment receipts, to refute the allegations and assert that they were entirely false and harmful to her public reputation.
Chinwo’s legal team, led by Pelumi Olajengbesi from Law Corridor, argued that the blogger’s actions violated Sections 391 of the Penal Code and Section 24(1)(B) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act 2015.
The singer has also sought legal redress in the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, demanding N1.1 billion in damages from VeryDarkMan. Additionally, Chinwo’s legal representatives are requesting an order for the blogger to retract his statements, delete the defamatory posts, and issue a public apology for the harm caused to her image and brand.
When contacted for comment, Adeyanju confirmed the bench warrant and criticized the process, accusing authorities of focusing more on a media trial than the actual prosecution of the case.
