A Chief Magistrate’s Court in Wuse Zone 6, Abuja, has summoned popular blogger Martins Vincent Otse, also known as VeryDarkMan, for alleged criminal defamation of gospel singer Mercy Chinwo.
The court issued a summons to VDM on March 5, 2025, ordering him to appear in person on March 13, 2025, to respond to Chinwo’s charges.
Chief Magistrate Emmanuel Iyanna gave the ruling in response to allegations that the blogger made derogatory remarks about the artist on social media platforms.
The issue arose from VDM’s online writings, in which he accused Chinwo of misappropriating $345,000 purportedly linked to her previous record label boss, Ezekiel Onyedikachukwu, commonly known as Eezee Tee.
However, the musician denied the charges and provided emails, receipts, and other documentation to back up his assertions.
Chinwo’s legal team, coordinated by Pelumi Olajengbesi of Law Corridor, filed a criminal complaint alleging that VDM’s conduct breached Sections 391 of the Penal Code and Section 24(1)(B) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act 2015.
Aside from the criminal accusations, Chinwo has launched a defamation case against the blogger in the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Abuja for N1.1 billion.
The action seeks an injunction requiring VeryDarkMan to delete all alleged defamatory posts, provide a public apology, and withdraw his views.
Meanwhile, a second case involving Eezee Tee is still pending before the Federal High Court in Lagos.
On February 17, 2025, the court affirmed an existing arrest warrant against the record label CEO for alleged fraudulent conversion, with his arraignment set for March 6, 2025.
Chinwo’s lawyers claim that VeryDarkMan’s social media posts on February 2, 3, 4, 5, 12, and 17 were designed to destroy the singer’s reputation and mislead the public.
They allege that the fraudulent assertions have resulted in considerable reputational damage, professional losses, and emotional misery for their client.
With the court summons in place, all eyes will be on March 13, when VeryDarkMan is scheduled to respond to the claims before the magistrate.
