Court Orders Arrest of Verydarkman Over Alleged Defamation of Mercy Chinwo

A Chief Magistrate Court in Wuse Zone 6, Abuja has issued a bench warrant for the arrest of popular activist Martins Vincent Otse, also known as Verydarkman, over alleged defamation of gospel singer Mercy Chinwo.

The court order mandates that the Nigeria Police Force and other law enforcement agencies apprehend Verydarkman and present him in court to answer the allegations. This action follows Otse’s failure to attend a court session on March 5, 2025, despite being summoned.

Magistrate Emmanuel Iyanna issued the bench warrant on March 13, 2025, after Otse did not appear as required. Otse’s lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, attempted to appeal the bench warrant, offering to personally bring his client to court, but Magistrate Iyanna rejected this appeal and insisted that Otse be brought in by law enforcement.

The legal battle stems from Verydarkman’s defamatory statements on social media, where he claimed that 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, presented documentary evidence, including emails and payment receipts, disproving the allegations and arguing that they damaged her reputation.

Chinwo’s lawyers assert that Verydarkman’s actions violate the Penal Code and the Cybercrime Act of 2015. In addition to the criminal case, Mercy Chinwo’s legal team has filed a lawsuit at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory seeking N1.1 billion in damages and an order for Verydarkman to delete and retract all defamatory statements. Furthermore, they are demanding a public apology from Verydarkman for the harm caused to her image and brand.