A Chief Magistrate Court in Wuse Zone 6, Abuja, issues a bench warrant for the arrest of popular activist, Martins Vincent Otse a.k.a Verydarkman over alleged defamation of gospel singer, Mercy Chinwo.
According to the court order, the Nigeria Police Force and other law enforcement agencies are required to arrest Otse and bring him before the court to face the allegations.
This development comes after Otse failed to appear in court despite a summons issued on March 5, 2025.
Magistrate Emmanuel Iyanna issued the bench warrant on Thursday, March 13, 2025.
VeryDarkMan’s lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, attempted to appeal the bench warrant, offering to personally bring his client to court.
However, Magistrate Emmanuel Iyanna rejected the appeal, insisting that VeryDarkMan be produced in court by security agencies instead.
The bench warrant was issued due to alleged defamatory statements made by VeryDarkMan on social media, claiming that gospel singer Mercy Chinwo was involved in a contractual dispute and had diverted $345,000 linked to her former record label boss, Eezee Tee.
Chinwo’s legal team, led by Pelumi Olajengbesi, provided documentary evidence, including emails and payment receipts, to support her claims that VeryDarkMan’s allegations were false and damaging to her reputation.
According to Chinwo’s lawyers, VeryDarkMan’s actions violate Sections 391 of the Penal Code and Section 24 (1)(B) of the Cybercrime Act 2015.
It is worth noting that Mercy Chinwo’s legal team also filed a lawsuit against VeryDarkMan (VDM) at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Abuja. The lawsuit seeks N1.1 billion in damages from Verydarkman.
Additionally, Chinwo’s lawyer is seeking a court order that would compel VDM to delete and retract all allegedly false and defamatory statements made against Chinwo and her brand.
Furthermore, VDM would be required to issue a public apology for the harm caused by his statements.
