Social media influencer Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), has been summoned by the Chief Magistrate Court in Wuse Zone 6 over alleged criminal defamation against gospel singer Mercy Chinwo. In a court order dated March 5, 2025, Magistrate Emmanuel Iyanna directed VDM to appear on March 13 to respond to the accusations. The case revolves around claims that VDM falsely accused Chinwo of financial misconduct involving $345,000 linked to her former record label boss, Ezekiel Onyedikachukwu (Eezee Tee).
Chinwo, through her lawyer Pelumi Olajengbesi, provided documentary evidence refuting VDM’s allegations and filed a civil suit at the High Court of the FCT, Abuja, demanding ₦1.1 billion in damages. The suit also requests that VDM retract his statements and issue a public apology. Legal charges cite violations of the Penal Code and the Cybercrimes Act. Meanwhile, in a separate case, a Federal High Court in Lagos upheld an arrest warrant against Eezee Tee for alleged fraudulent conversion, with his arraignment set for March 6.
According to Chinwo’s legal team, VDM’s social media posts, made on multiple dates in February, were deliberately defamatory and damaging to her reputation. As the court date approaches, all eyes are on the legal proceedings to determine the influencer’s fate in this high-profile defamation case.