A Chief Magistrate’s Court in Wuse Zone 6, Abuja, has issued a summons for controversial blogger Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, over allegations of criminal defamation against gospel singer Mercy Chinwo.
The court directive, dated March 5, 2025, mandates VDM to appear in person on March 13, 2025, to address claims made against him by the singer.
Chief Magistrate Emmanuel Iyanna issued the order following accusations that the blogger made defamatory remarks about Chinwo on social media.
The dispute centers around allegations by VDM that Chinwo misappropriated $345,000 allegedly linked to her former record label boss, Ezekiel Onyedikachukwu, also known as Eezee Tee.
However, Chinwo has denied the claims, providing emails, receipts, and other documents to refute the accusations.
In a criminal complaint filed by her legal team, led by Pelumi Olajengbesi of Law Corridor, Chinwo argues that VDM’s statements violate Section 391 of the Penal Code and Section 24(1)(B) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act 2015.
“The allegations against our client are baseless and intended to damage her reputation,” Olajengbesi stated. “We have taken legal action to ensure justice is served.”
Beyond the criminal proceedings, Chinwo has also filed a N1.1 billion defamation lawsuit against VDM at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
The suit seeks an order compelling the blogger to delete the alleged defamatory posts, issue a public apology, and retract his statements.
Meanwhile, a separate legal case involving Eezee Tee is ongoing at the Federal High Court in Lagos. On February 17, 2025, the court upheld an arrest warrant against him over allegations of fraudulent conversion, with his arraignment set for March 6, 2025.
Chinwo’s legal team insists that VDM’s social media posts, made on February 2, 3, 4, 5, 12, and 17, were deliberately aimed at tarnishing the singer’s reputation.
