Bench Warrant Issued for the Arrest of VeryDarkMan Over Defamation Case Involving Mercy Chinwo

The Chief Magistrate Court in Wuse Zone 6, Abuja, has issued a bench warrant for the arrest of blogger Martins Vincent Otse, known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), over allegations of criminal defamation against gospel singer Mercy Chinwo. The court directed the Nigeria Police Force and other law enforcement agencies to apprehend VDM and bring him to court to answer to the charges.

Magistrate Emmanuel Iyanna issued the bench warrant on Thursday, March 13, 2025, after VDM failed to appear in court despite being summoned on March 5, 2025. VDM’s lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, requested that the court reconsider the warrant, offering to personally ensure his client's appearance. However, Magistrate Iyanna denied the request and insisted that security agencies be responsible for bringing VDM to court.

In a statement to confirm the development, Adeyanju criticized the proceedings, claiming that the authorities were focused on a "media trial" and were not serious about prosecution.

The case involves allegations that VDM posted defamatory statements on social media, accusing Chinwo of being involved in a contractual dispute and the misappropriation of $345,000 related to her former record label boss, Ezekiel Onyedikachukwu, also known as Eezee Tee.

Chinwo's legal team, led by Pelumi Olajengbesi of Law Corridor, presented documentary evidence, including emails and payment receipts, to counter these claims, asserting that the allegations were false and damaging to Chinwo's reputation. The lawyers argued that VDM's actions violated Section 391 of the Penal Code and Section 24(1)(B) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act 2015.

Chinwo has also filed a separate lawsuit at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, seeking ₦1.1 billion in damages from VDM. Her legal team is additionally requesting a court order for the blogger to delete the defamatory statements, issue a retraction, and publicly apologize.