The Abuja Magistrate Court reaffirms the arrest warrant for blogger VeryDarkMan over alleged defamation of gospel singer Mercy Chinwo. Read the latest developments.
The Chief Magistrate Court in Wuse Zone 6, Abuja, has reinforced its stance on the ongoing legal battle between blogger Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), and gospel singer Mercy Chinwo, upholding the bench warrant for VDM’s arrest, following his failure to appear for trial over alleged criminal defamation.
Mercy Chinwo vs VeryDarkMan
On March 13, 2025, Magistrate Emmanuel Iyanna directed the Nigeria Police Force and other law enforcement agencies to ensure the immediate arrest of VeryDarkMan. This directive came after the blogger ignored a prior summons on March 5, 2025. His lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, had pleaded with the court to reconsider, assuring that he would present his client personally, but Magistrate Iyanna dismissed the appeal and insisted that the law take its full course.
Read also: Court Subpoenas VERYDarkMan Over Defamation Allegations Against Mercy Chinwo
The defamation suit stems from allegations made by VeryDarkMan on social media, accusing Mercy Chinwo of financial misconduct involving a contractual dispute and the misappropriation of $345,000 linked to her former record label boss, Ezekiel Onyedikachukwu, also known as Eezee Tee. In response, Chinwo provided documentary evidence, including emails and payment receipts, to counter VDM’s claims, asserting that they were false, damaging, and injurious to her reputation.
Chinwo’s legal team, led by Pelumi Olajengbesi of Law Corridor, has argued that the blogger’s actions violate Sections 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 also filed a civil suit at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, seeking ₦1.1 billion in damages and a court order mandating VDM to retract his statements and issue a public apology.
While Adeyanju has labeled the situation a “media trial,” arguing that authorities are not genuinely interested in prosecuting the matter, the court remains firm in its decision.
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