The Chief Magistrate Court in Wuse Zone 6, Abuja, has summoned social media commentator Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), over a defamation suit filed by gospel singer Mercy Chinwo.

In a criminal summons dated 5th March 2025, Chief Magistrate Emmanuel Iyanna ordered VDM to appear in person before the court on 13th March 2025 to answer allegations of criminal defamation brought against him by Chinwo.

The case stems from alleged defamatory statements made by VDM on social media, in which he accused Chinwo of being involved in a contractual dispute and the alleged diversion of $345,000 linked to her former record label boss, Ezekiel Onyedikachukwu, also known as EeZee Tee.

To support her claims, Chinwo presented the court with documentary evidence, including emails and payment receipts, asserting that VDM’s allegations were entirely false and damaging to her reputation.

In the complaint filed by her legal team, led by Pelumi Olajengbesi of the Abuja-based firm Law Corridor, Chinwo argued that the defendant’s actions violated Section 391 of the Penal Code and Section 24(1)(B) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act 2015.

The court has directed VDM to appear before the magistrate on 13th March 2025 to respond to the charges.

Separately, Chinwo has also taken legal action against VDM at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, seeking ₦1.1 billion in damages. Her legal team is demanding that VDM delete all allegedly defamatory content, issue a public retraction, and publish an official apology.

Meanwhile, on 17th February 2025, a Federal High Court in Lagos ruled that an arrest warrant for EeZee Tee over alleged fraudulent conversion remains in effect, adjourning the case to 6th March 2025 for arraignment.

According to Olajengbesi, VDM’s posts were made “without provocation and with the intent to lower Chinwo’s reputation in the eyes of right-thinking members of society.” Chinwo’s legal team has provided the court with extensive documentation to prove that VDM’s claims were false.

The lawyer further stated that VDM’s social media posts—published on Instagram on 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 12th, and 17th February 2025—falsely alleged that Chinwo had bypassed her record label to book unauthorised gigs and failed to remit payments.

“These statements have caused significant harm to Chinwo’s public image, professional reputation, and emotional well-being,” Olajengbesi told the court.