A bench warrant has been issued by a Chief Magistrate Court in Wuse Zone 6, Abuja, for the arrest of popular activist Martins Vincent Otse a.k.a Verydarkman for allegedly defaming gospel singer Mercy Chinwo.
According to the court order, the Nigeria Police Force and other law enforcement agencies must arrest Otse and bring him to court to face the allegations.
This development comes after Otse failed to appear in court despite being summoned on March 5, 2025.
Magistrate Emmanuel Iyanna issued the bench warrant on Thursday, March 13, 2025.
Deji Adeyanju, VeryDarkMan’s lawyer, attempted to appeal the bench warrant, offering to personally accompany his client to court.
However, Magistrate Emmanuel Iyanna denied the appeal, directing that VeryDarkMan be produced in court by security agencies instead.
The bench warrant was issued in response 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 to her former record label boss, Eezee Tee.
Chinwo’s legal team, led by Pelumi Olajengbesi, presented documentary evidence, including emails and payment receipts, to back up her claims that VeryDarkMan’s allegations were false and damaging to her reputation.
According to Chinwo’s lawyers, VeryDarkMan’s actions are in violation of Section 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 has also filed a lawsuit against VeryDarkMan (VDM) at the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja. The lawsuit is seeking N1.1 billion in damages from Verydarkman.
Furthermore, Chinwo’s lawyer is requesting a court order requiring VDM to delete and retract all allegedly false and defamatory statements made about Chinwo and her brand.
Furthermore, VDM would have to make a public apology for the harm caused by his statements.
