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), for “criminal defamation” of gospel singer Mercy Chinwo’s reputation.

Magistrate Emmanuel Iyanna issued the bench warrant on Thursday, March 13, 2025, after VDM failed to appear before the court on March 5, 2025, despite being summoned. The magistrate ordered the Nigeria Police Force and other law enforcement agencies to arrest VeryDarkMan and bring him to court to answer the allegations against him.

Although VDM’s lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, appealed to the magistrate, promising to produce his client in court, the magistrate rejected the appeal and insisted that VDM be brought in by security agencies.

Adeyanju confirmed the bench warrant to News Reporters, expressing his belief that the matter was being treated as a media trial rather than a genuine legal prosecution.

The bench warrant arises from allegations made by VDM on social media, where he accused Chinwo of being involved in a contractual dispute and allegedly diverting $345,000 linked to her former record label boss, Ezekiel Onyedikachukwu (Eezee Tee).

Chinwo presented documentary evidence, including emails and payment receipts, to prove the falsity of VDM’s claims, emphasizing the harm caused to her public image and reputation.

Chinwo’s lawyers, led by Pelumi Olajengbesi from the Abuja-based law firm Law Corridor, argued that VDM’s actions violated Sections 391 of the Penal Code and Section 24 (1)(B) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention etc) Act 2015.

Additionally, Chinwo has filed a lawsuit in the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, seeking N1.1 billion in damages against VDM. She is also demanding that he retract and publicly apologize for the defamatory statements.

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