Court Issues Arrest Warrant for VDM Over False Claims Against Mercy Chinwo

The Chief Magistrate Court in Wuse Zone 6, Abuja, has issued a bench warrant for the arrest of controversial blogger Martins Vincent Otse, widely known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), following allegations of “criminal defamation” against gospel singer Mercy Chinwo.

Magistrate Emmanuel Iyanna issued the order on Thursday after VDM failed to appear in court in response to a summons issued on March 5, 2025. The court instructed the Nigeria Police Force and other law enforcement agencies to locate and arrest VDM, ensuring he is brought to court to answer to the charges.

VDM’s lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, appealed to the magistrate, offering to personally ensure that his client would appear in court. However, Magistrate Iyanna rejected the appeal, insisting that VDM be apprehended by security agencies and produced in court.

The bench warrant follows accusations made by VDM on social media, in which he alleged that Mercy Chinwo was involved in a contractual dispute and had diverted $345,000 linked to her former record label boss, Ezekiel Onyedikachukwu (Eezee Tee). Chinwo has vehemently denied the allegations and provided documentary evidence, including emails and payment receipts, to demonstrate that the claims were false and harmful to her public image.

Mercy Chinwo’s legal team, led by lawyer Pelumi Olajengbesi of the Abuja-based law firm Law Corridor, argued that VDM’s actions contravened Sections 391 of the Penal Code and Section 24 (1)(B) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention etc) Act 2015. The singer is also seeking N1.1 billion in damages from VDM in a separate civil lawsuit filed before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

Chinwo’s legal representatives have asked the court to compel VDM to retract his defamatory statements, issue a public apology, and delete all related content from his social media platforms.