On March 13, 2025, a Chief Magistrate Court in Wuse Zone 6, Abuja, issued a bench warrant for the arrest of social media personality Martins Vincent Otse, known as VeryDarkMan (VDM),
over allegations of criminal defamation against gospel singer Mercy Chinwo. The warrant was issued by Magistrate Emmanuel Iyanna after VDM failed to appear in court despite a summons issued on March 5, 2025.
The defamation case centers on VDM’s social media claims accusing Chinwo of diverting $345,000 in a contractual dispute with her former record label boss, Ezekiel Onyedikachukwu, also known as Eezee Tee.
Chinwo’s legal team, led by Pelumi Olajengbesi, presented documentary evidence, including emails and payment receipts, to refute these allegations and protect her reputation.
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In response to the arrest warrant, VDM, currently abroad, addressed the situation on his Instagram story on March 14, 2025.
He acknowledged the court’s order and indicated his intention to return to Nigeria soon, stating in Pidgin English:
“I dey come Naija very soon make una ready to arrest me for airport. Arrest no be new thing for the Ratel na.”
VDM’s lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, was present in court and requested an opportunity to personally present his client at the next hearing. However, Magistrate Iyanna declined to vacate the arrest warrant.
In addition to the criminal defamation case, Chinwo’s counsel has filed a N1.1 billion lawsuit against VDM at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, seeking a public apology, retraction, and deletion of the alleged defamatory statements.
For more details, you can watch the following news report
