Court Orders VeryDarkMan to Answer Defamation Charges Against Mercy Chinwo
The Chief Magistrate Court in Wuse Zone 6 has summoned controversial blogger Martins Vincent Otse, widely known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), to appear in court on March 13, 2025, over allegations of criminal defamation of gospel singer Mercy Chinwo.
The court order, issued on March 5, 2025, follows a formal petition from Chinwo, accusing VDM of tarnishing her reputation with false and damaging statements.
At the heart of the summons is a series of defamatory posts made by VDM on social media, where he accused Chinwo of being involved in a contractual dispute and misappropriating $345,000 related to her former record label boss, Ezekiel Onyedikachukwu, also known as Eezee Tee.
In response, Chinwo has presented compelling documentary evidence, including emails and payment receipts, to prove that VDM’s allegations are not only untrue but have caused significant harm to her public image and career.
The evidence paints a clear picture of how these false claims were injurious to Chinwo’s reputation as a respected figure in the gospel music industry.
The criminal complaint, filed by Pelumi Olajengbesi of the Law Corridor firm, highlights that VDM’s actions violate Section 391 of the Penal Code and Section 24 (1)(B) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act of 2015.
Magistrate Emmanuel Iyanna, overseeing the case, has directed VDM to appear in court on March 13, 2025, to answer the charges.
This legal battle is just one front in a broader legal confrontation for Chinwo. The singer’s legal team has also filed a separate case in the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, demanding N1.1 billion in damages from VDM.
The suit seeks a court order compelling the blogger to retract his defamatory statements, delete his posts, and issue a public apology.
Additionally, a related case concerning Chinwo’s former record label boss, Eezee Tee, continues to unfold. On February 17, 2025, a Federal High Court in Lagos ruled that an arrest warrant for Eezee Tee over alleged fraudulent conversion remains in effect, with the case adjourned to March 6, 2025, for his arraignment.
Chinwo’s legal counsel asserts that VDM’s posts, which were made on February 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 12th, and 17th, were unfounded and malicious, with the clear intent to harm her standing in the eyes of the public. These posts accused the singer of secretly booking shows behind her label’s back, without remitting payment.
The legal team contends that these baseless allegations have severely impacted Chinwo’s professional reputation, emotional well-being, and career prospects.
As the case progresses, all eyes will be on how the court addresses these serious defamation claims, setting a crucial precedent in the fight against online misinformation and reputation damage.
