A Chief Magistrate’s Court in Wuse Zone 6, Abuja, has summoned controversial blogger Martins Vincent Otse, better known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), for alleged criminal defamation against gospel singer Mercy Chinwo.
The summons, dated March 5, 2025, directs VDM to appear on March 13, 2025, to respond to the claims made by Chinwo. Chief Magistrate Emmanuel Iyanna issued the order after the blogger allegedly posted damaging statements about the singer on social media.
The dispute arises from VDM’s accusations that Chinwo misappropriated $345,000 allegedly tied to her former record label boss, Ezekiel Onyedikachukwu (Eezee Tee). Chinwo has vehemently denied the claims, providing emails, receipts, and other documents to disprove them.
In the criminal complaint filed by Chinwo’s legal team, led by Pelumi Olajengbesi of Law Corridor, she argued that VDM’s actions violated Sections 391 of the Penal Code and Section 24(1)(B) of the Cybercrime Act of 2015. Additionally, Chinwo has filed a N1.1 billion defamation lawsuit against VDM at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Abuja.
The lawsuit demands that VDM delete all defamatory posts, issue a public apology, and retract his statements.
A separate case involving Eezee Tee is also ongoing, with an arrest warrant against him for alleged fraudulent conversion. His arraignment is set for March 6, 2025, in the Federal High Court in Lagos.
Chinwo’s legal team contends that VDM’s social media posts made on February 2, 3, 4, 5, 12, and 17, 2025, were intended to damage the singer’s reputation and mislead the public. They argue that these false claims have caused substantial reputational harm, professional setbacks, and emotional distress.
All eyes will be on March 13 when VDM is expected to respond to the allegations before the magistrate.
